As a teen growing up in an abusive household, Morgan coped daily with physical and emotional harm from her mother. However, she felt safe and supported when she posted about her experiences on a fake Instagram account -- widely referred to as a Finsta -- that disguised her true identity.
Morgan (no relation to the co-author of this article) used her Finsta to tell peers what she was going through and to send and receive encouraging words. Without that lifeline, she told us in an interview at age 21, "I probably would not have made it out."
We are social work and public health researchers who study how people use digital technologies to seek help after they experience violence. We've found that social media has become a crucial outlet for young people to disclose abuse, connect with peers who've had similar experiences and learn about safety strategies.
Every year in the United States, it's estimated that more than 1 in 7 children face violence or neglect in their home. These experiences often go unreported. Some children don't recognize their experiences as abuse. Others are ashamed. Many fear what will happen next if they speak out.
Related
