Doctors Urged to Discuss Teen Dating Violence
New Canadian Paediatric Society guidance asks physicians to raise healthy relationships and abuse risks with adolescent patients.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Should doctors routinely ask teen patients about dating violence during checkups?
The Canadian Paediatric Society issued new guidance urging health-care providers to discuss dating violence with teen patients. The guidance says one-third of teens in Canada experience physical, psychological, sexual, or technology-related abuse in relationships.
Why it matters
The guidance targets a common form of youth harm that can be facilitated by everyday technology like texting and social media. It gives clinicians a structured way to open conversations that teens may not raise on their own.
The guidance cites that one-third of teens in Canada experience some form of abuse in relationships, including technology-facilitated abuse. The source does not detail the survey methodology behind this estimate.
The players
Canadian Paediatric Society
The national organization of paediatricians and child health professionals that issues evidence-based clinical guidance for children and adolescents in Canada.
The details
Health-care providers are advised to normalize talking about healthy relationships during adolescent visits. The guidance recommends speaking with teens alone for part of visits, with confidentiality assurances unless there is an immediate safety concern, and sharing educational resources on teen dating violence.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Canadian Paediatric Society issues the new dating violence guidance.
Big Picture
The Canadian Paediatric Society's new guidance extends its existing adolescent clinical recommendations into relationship violence, a topic that physicians have typically addressed less directly during routine teen visits.
Parents and teens can expect family doctors and paediatricians to begin raising relationship safety during routine adolescent visits. Teens may be asked about partners who monitor their phones or restrict contact with friends.
The takeaway
Warning signs such as a partner tracking your online activity or limiting time with friends are worth raising with a trusted health-care provider. Teens can ask for confidential support and be connected with local community resources.
Further reading
For more on youth wellness across the country, see Children’s Health.
Live Poll
Should doctors routinely ask teen patients about dating violence during checkups?
