Patterns of Control: A Narrative Review Exploring Nature and Scope of Technologically Mediated Intimate Partner Violence Among Generation Z Individuals

With most individuals in the U.S. having regular access to internet connection and/or owning smartphones, digital communication has become an inevitable part of daily life for adults and adolescents. Consequently, forming, maintaining and ending relationships via digital media is a widespread phenomenon, however, there also is an ongoing risk of technology facilitated intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization. The current paper conducts a traditional narrative review to synthesize extant research on the nature and scope of technology facilitated IPV among Generation Z individuals. The study endeavors to find key patterns in technology facilitated IPV and examine any reciprocal association between online and offline violence victimization and perpetration. In view of the international recognition of intimate partner violence (IPV) as an important public health concern, and the further complexity presented by the rapid digitalization of communication and interaction, the paper investigates any existing association between offline and online dating violence perpetration and victimization to improve violence mitigation programs and support services for younger victims.