By Michelle Trauring / East Hampton Press
Feb 3, 2026
February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about teen dating abuse and promote healthy, respectful relationships among young people.
And this year’s theme, “Real Love Respects,” highlights the power of mutual respect as the foundation of safe and healthy relationships.
As part of the monthlong campaign, The Retreat will host a free webinar, “Growing Up Online: Supporting Teens in a Social Media + AI World,” on Wednesday, February 11, at 1 p.m. Led by Courtney Hyland, associate director of prevention education, the session is designed for parents, educators and youth-serving professionals who will learn how to identify new and emerging technologies that teens are encountering, as well as digital red flags related to AI, online grooming and manipulation.
“Our work is guided by ongoing conversations with teens about what online life really looks like for them,” Hyland said. “Their insights help us understand how relationships, boundaries and pressure show up in digital spaces. Their perspectives directly inform our workshops and prevention efforts across Long Island.”
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is dedicated to educating young people, families and communities about the realities of teen dating violence. In 2010, Congress officially declared February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, reinforcing the importance of prevention, education and support.
Open, honest communication plays a vital role in prevention, according to The Retreat. Creating a safe, judgment-free space allows teens to feel heard and supported as they navigate relationships.
The organization encourages families to recognize the signs of unhealthy relationships — including controlling behavior, excessive jealousy, or stalking — and to talk about digital safety, emphasizing privacy, online boundaries and safe behavior both online and offline.
Families can practice supportive listening by being present, validating feelings and responding with empathy, The Retreat said, and the organization encourages them to use trusted resources to guide conversations and learn together, including The Retreat’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month resource page and free conversation starter tools.
