Which four primary types of TDV should educators recognize in students?

• A. Verbal, financial, social, and spiritual conflicts.
• B. Physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse, and digital/tech-enabled abuse.
• C. Physical, financial, social, and educational neglect.
• D. Digital, political, religious, and family issues.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that teen dating violence is categorized into four core forms: physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, and digital/tech-enabled abuse. Recognizing these helps educators spot warning signs and respond effectively.

Physical abuse involves acts that cause physical harm or fear of harm, such as hitting, pushing, or grabbing. Sexual abuse covers coercing or forcing sexual activity or any unwanted sexual contact. Emotional or psychological abuse includes manipulation, threats, humiliation, controlling behavior, isolation, or gaslighting—acts that undermine a teen’s self-worth and sense of safety. Digital or tech-enabled abuse uses technology to monitor, harass, threaten, or control—texts, social media pressure, sharing intimate images without consent, or persistent online stalking.

This fourth category is included because technology provides a widespread, ongoing avenue for abuse in teen relationships, making it a central, recognizable form alongside in-person violence.

The other options don’t fit as the primary TDV types. They mix in neglect or issues not inherently about violence within dating dynamics, or they list forms like verbal, financial, social, or religious/political/family concerns that aren’t standard primary abuse categories in teen dating contexts.