Online sexual jealousy is becoming more common among adolescents, yet little research has been done on its impact compared to traditional jealousy. This study will compare the emotional, behavioral, and relational consequences of both forms of jealousy in adolescent populations.
It was found that online sexual jealousy often leads to greater feelings of anxiety and insecurity than traditional jealousy. Adolescents who experience online sexual jealousy may feel distrustful of their partner's intentions and question whether they are being deceived. They may also worry about losing control over the situation, which can lead to obsessive checking of social media accounts or emails for signs of infidelity. In contrast, traditional jealousy tends to be focused more on physical cheating rather than digital interactions, leading to different reactions.
Adolescents who experience online sexual jealousy may engage in more controlling behaviors towards their partners than those who experience traditional jealousy.
They may monitor their partner's phone usage, demand passwords, or even attempt to hack into accounts to check for evidence of infidelity. Traditional jealousy does not typically result in these types of controlling behaviors, as the focus is usually on physical intimacy instead.
Online sexual jealousy can have a negative impact on relationships. Partners may become frustrated with constant accusations or demands for proof of fidelity, causing them to withdraw from the relationship. Online sexual jealousy can also lead to decreased trust, increased conflict, and ultimately breakups. Traditional jealousy can also cause tension between partners, but it is less likely to completely destroy the relationship due to its focus on physical acts.
Online sexual jealousy appears to have unique emotional, behavioral, and relational consequences compared to traditional jealousy among adolescent populations. It is important that parents and educators discuss healthy boundaries and communication strategies around technology use with adolescents to prevent these negative effects.
What are the comparative emotional, behavioral, and relational consequences of online versus offline sexual jealousy among adolescents?
Online sexual jealousy has been found to be more severe than its offline counterpart (Golombok & Fricke, 2015). Adolescents who experience it tend to have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and distress compared to those who don't (Wiseman, Levin, McGuire, & Driscoll, 2018).