AN EXPLORATION OF STUDENT ATTITUDES ON PRIVACY/SECURITY ISSUES: FACEBOOK USAGE CONCERNS AND EXPECTATIONS

Abstract

The technological advent of Social Media, powered and enhanced in great measure by the introduction of Facebook, has generated the need for an exploratory and in-depth research study of the privacy and security implications inherent in Social Networking Sites (SNS), and the responses of the students that engage in this sphere of activity interaction through Facebook integration. In this study, we examine and categorize the privacy and security concerns of undergraduate college students at the time of entry into the SNS environment and in the period beyond the entry stage. A survey instrument of twenty-four relevant privacy and security questions and accompanying demographic data was designed, disseminated to the undergraduate students, and analyzed. The three research questions revolved around these factors: the privacy concerns of undergraduate students when first encountering the Facebook environment, differences in perception due to the gender of the user in regard to privacy concerns about Facebook, and changes in privacy concerns with continued usage over a period of time. The primary concerns analyzed within and between groups are: personal privacy, identity theft, stalking, harassment/flaming, and future employment consequences. We conclude with a discussion of results and recommendations for future research trajectories.