El stalking en redes sociales digitales en la etapa de enamoramiento en estudiantes universitarios

Abstract

Stalking in digital social networks during the infatuation stage refers to the inappropriate use of intemet browsing that relates to communication with one's partner, through online applications where posts, connectivity, location, and views are activated, in order to stalk, control, harass, and intrude repeatedly and intrusively. The research focused on analyzing the influence of stalking during the infatuation stage in university students, specifically examining the factors and characteristics of digital harassment in Communication students at the Technical University of Ambato. A mixed approach was used, using the survey as a quantitative technique and the questionnaire to assess abuse in teenage relationships (CARPA) created by Calvete, Machinbarrena, González, and Fernandez in 2021, consisting of 21 items distributed in four dimensions - online control, actions, reactions, and self-perception of the relationship. The target population consists of 360 young people, with a sample of 187 individuals, within a limited range of 18 to 25 years old. In the qualitative part, a focus group with 3 participants who were stalking victims was conducted using the interview guide created by Zbairi in 2015, consisting of five questions that covered the dimensions of knowledge, experimental situation, past experiences, victim's perspective, and solution opinions. This exploratory, descriptive, and correlational study employed an analytical-synthetic, hypothetical-deductive, and inductive method. The results reveal the presence of problematic behaviors, showing appropriate use of digital platforms and influence on romantic relationships. The perception of stalking derives from digital violence, referring to a neologism of espionage, for obtaining information and control of movements. Based on the schematization of the narratives, the lack of knowledge about stalking and gender differences in responses highlight the need for a gender-sensitive approach in understanding and addressing digital stalking in university settings.