Being in a new relationship is exciting, but learning how to be part of a relationship isn't always easy. Most teens enter relationships to dive deeper into knowing someone. If the relationship is healthy, both people should feel safe and comfortable being honest, they should respect each others' values and boundaries, and they should honor the other person's other relationships with family and friends.
In unhealthy relationships, one partner feels more powerful or in control than the other. That shows up as dishonesty, jealousy, possessiveness, or lack of respect. These things are not only harmful to your emotional health, they can be warning signs for future abuse and violence.
Does your boyfriend / girlfriend / partner.....
get overly jealous? (remember love is not jealous and it does not mean they really, really like you - it is not a healthy emotion in a romantic relationship)
frequently track you or check your phone or social media accounts?
make you feel guilty if you do things with your friends or family?
do mean things to animals?
start fights or threaten to start fights?
blame you when they get angry or when something "bad" happens?
have big mood swings that make it hard to know what to expect next?
accuse you of things you didn't do?
embarrass you or put you down in front of your friends or in public?
pressure you to have sex or do things sexually that you don't want to do?
pinch, hit, slap, push, grab, or inflict any type of physical pain?
For help:
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing any of these 'red flags' in your/their relationship, it's time to step back, get help, and get out of the relationship. I know this is not easy, but it is important. There is more help if you need it at loveisrespect.org or joinonelove.org