Public Risk Perception Research Articles

Fear in Media Headlines Increases Public Risk Perceptions but Decreases Preventive Behaviors: A Multi-Country Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The perception of reality could matter more than reality itself when it comes to disease outbreaks. News media are important sources of information during global disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on theories of fear appeals and the social ecological model, we conducted multilevel modeling analyses to examine how media-level and community-level factors influenced the public’s risk perceptions of COVID-19 and frequencies of preventive behaviors in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India. We combined a large-scale multi-wave cross-country survey (N = 161,374) with a COVID-19 media coverage archive (N = 10,015,187) to test these relationships. We found that fear in media headlines was positively correlated with people’s perceptions of risk but negatively correlated with frequencies of preventive behaviors, controlling for individual-, community-, and cultural-level factors. Similar patterns were consistently identified within each individual country. We also show that community factors interacted with the media environment to influence public risk perceptions and behaviors. Our findings highlight a strong mass media influence during the pandemic, and we discuss the implications of our findings for health communication during crisis times.

Navigating the COVID-19 Health Crisis: A Content Analysis of Organizational Communication Strategies on Social Media

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented threat to global health and well-being, with social media emerging as a pivotal platform for organizations to disseminate outbreak-related information swiftly, thereby shaping public risk perceptions and influencing preventive behaviours. Guided by the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model, this study examines COVID-19-related content posted by organizations on Sina Weibo, focusing on the communication strategies employed and their impact on public engagement. Using content analysis and Semantic Network Analysis (SNA), a dataset of 10,996 salient Weibo posts was collected and analysed. Findings reveal that word prevalence, inter-word relationships, and the use of CERC model elements varied across different crisis stages and organization types. The analysis indicates that posts predominantly emphasized case reports, responders, governmental interventions, and positive outcomes. Furthermore, in terms of public engagement, certain content dimensions—such as requests for feedback, expressions of appreciation, and provision of detailed informational resources—were particularly effective in drawing public attention.

Public complaints of water pollution: A long-term spatiotemporal analysis in Japan

Public complaints about water pollution are important indicators of public environmental risk perception and provide crucial feedback for evaluating the effectiveness of water resource management strategies. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of water pollution complaints in Japan from 1989 to 2021, utilizing integrated datasets that include river networks, water quality monitoring stations, regional industrial demographics, and socioeconomic indicators. Our findings reveal a significant decline in complaints—over 45% from the peak in 2006—following the implementation of various environmental policies aimed at reducing industrial discharge and restoring natural ecosystem function. The shift in complaint targets from industries to individuals suggests that these policies have been effective in mitigating industrial pollution, while also highlighting the need to address individual behaviors that impact water quality. Despite long-term improvement in water quality indicators such as Suspended Solids (SS) and Dissolved Oxygen (DO), no significant correlation was observed between these indicators and the temporal or spatial patterns of water pollution complaints. Instead, a strong positive correlation was observed between complaints and reported water quality incidents, reflecting heightened public sensitivity to acute pollution events. Spatial analysis further identified a significant association between complaints and the manufacturing workforce, indicating that industrial activity continues to shape public perception of water pollution risks. Our findings underscore the complex interaction between public perception, environmental policies, and industrial activities, and suggest that effective water management requires a multifaceted approach. Policymakers should continue to enforce stringent industrial regulations, while also enhancing public education and communication strategies to improve awareness of individual responsibilities in water protection. This research provides a theoretical basis for developing more responsive and effective environmental policies and public education strategies.

The infected blood inquiry: Impact on public perceptions of blood supply risk, safety, and donation attitudes.

The UK's Infected Blood Inquiry (IBI) highlighted a major public health scandal, with at least 30 000 people infected and more than 3000 deaths attributable to infected blood and blood products. This study investigates the impact of the IBI announcement on May 20, 2024, on public perceptions of blood supply risk, safety, and donation intentions in the UK compared to the USA. A 2 (country: UK vs. USA) × 2 (time: pre-, post-IBI announcement) between-within-subject study was conducted with 1635 participants (888 UK, 747 USA). Pre-IBI data were collected from May 3 to 7, 2024, and post-IBI data from May 30 to June 30, 2024. Key measures were perceived infection risk from transfusion, transfusion safety, willingness to donate and encourage others. The impact was assessed using differences-in-differences (DiD) and reliable-change-indices (RCI). UK participants showed a significant but small decrease in perceived safety compared to USA participants, with 1 in 30 UK individuals perceiving a significant reduction in perceived transfusion safety. Decreases in perceived safety were associated with significant decreases in willingness to donate and encouragement of others in the whole sample and in USA participants and significant decreases in willingness to encourage others in UK participants. Older people reported a greater reduction in safety, and non-donors were more likely to be put off donating and not ask others to donate as a result of their perception that safety had been reduced. Overall, perceived safety decreased marginally in the UK general population. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of the IBI.

Exploring Perceptions and Preventive Practices Related to COVID-19 Among General Public: A Cross Sectional Analytical Study from Pakistan

Objective: This research was done to assess the level of public awareness, perceptions and practices using a survey questionnaire of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out from the Nov 2021 to Apr 2022 through online survey in Pakistan Methodology: The sample size calculated with open epi sample size calculator was 345. Convenient sampling technique was used. Individuals who consented and between 15 and 80 years of age were included. The questionnaire included Sociodemographic information and questions on respondents' perceptions and preventive practices regarding COVID-19,including particular inquiries about widespread misconceptions. Results: Mean age of the participants was 31±13 years. Proportions of males 159(46%) and females 186(54%) were almost equal, Majority 124(36%) were of age group 21-30 years. Half 172(50%) were graduates and 163(47%) came to knew about COVID-19 from social media Significant association between gender and source of information (p=.008) knowledge of specific cure p=0.040, maintaining social distancing p=0.002), wearing masks in public p=0.003, sanitize personal items (p=0.034)Significant association was found between age categories and source of information p<0.05 , received COVID-19 vaccine p=0.021, avoid overcrowding to prevent infection p<0.05Significant association was found between education and knowledge of specific cure p=0.001, wearing mask in public p=0.02, following government restrictions p=0.015 Conclusion: Better knowledge influences attitudes and behaviors in favor of COVID-19 prevention measures. Enhancing public knowledge, positive attitudes, appropriate behaviors, and risk perception during epidemics are necessary for disease control.

How to improve the effectiveness of the cooperation networks of emergency science communication for public health emergencies

Emergency science communication is an important emergency activity that can enhance public safety awareness and risk perception ability, optimize health-protective behaviors, and reduce losses from emergencies. Certainly, emergency science communication needs to be multisource information and cross-organization. Moreover, increasing cooperation in emergency science communication is the key to improving the effectiveness of science communication in public health emergencies. To clarify the cooperation relationships among emergency organizations in emergency science communication, emergency science communication cooperation networks (ESCCNs) are constructed on the basis of the social network analysis method, and the practice of emergency science communication in response to COVID-19 in China is taken as the case. Through an interpretation of the characteristics of ESCCNs in the emergency response phase and the ongoing emergency phase, the differences in the cooperation modes of public health emergencies in different phases are analyzed. Moreover, the influence of different emergency phases on the formation of the ESCCN of the whole phase is discussed. With the evolution of the emergency phase, the network tightness, equilibrium and connectivity of the ESCCN all tend to increase, whereas network agglomeration decreases. In the emergency response phase, the core-edge features of the ESCCN are obvious, and emergency science communication organizations (ESCOs) are more inclined to form emergency science communication cooperation with other ESCOs of the same type. However, in the ongoing emergency phase, the cooperation relationships between ESCOs are more balanced, and more diversified cross-group cooperation relationships are formed. The diversification of ESCO types, the closeness of ESCO relationships and the connectivity of ESCCNs are the main factors that promote the formation of the ESCCN of the whole phase. Furthermore, implications for strengthening the efficiency of science popularization cooperation in public health emergencies are proposed in connection to matching dynamic characteristics, optimizing resource allocation and strengthening institutional guarantees.

Risk communication and public response to potential radiation emergencies in New York City.

Public knowledge and awareness about radiation (both natural and manmade) tend to be low, while perceived risk of radiation tends to be high. High perceptions of risk associated with radiation have been linked to the affect heuristic and general feelings of dread, which are often not proportionate to actual risk. For example, studies routinely show that members of the public rate the risk of radiation from nuclear power plants as significantly higher (and riskier) than radiation from medical X-rays. This disconnect can have implications for adoption of protective actions during a potential radiation emergency and the perceived efficacy of these actions. This study explores how risk communication efforts influence public risk perceptions, intended protective action, and perceived efficacy of those actions. Using unique data from a survey of New York City adults, we analyze how information provision using different formats-no information, an infographic, an informational video-impact perceptions and response to a hypothetical radiation emergency. We hypothesize that respondents who receive some information, either through the infographic or the video, will have higher perceived efficacy and are more likely to take protective action. Findings suggest that providing information about what to do during a radiation emergency has a statistically significant impact on both perceived efficacy and adoption of protective action. Respondents who saw the informational video were most likely to say that they would take the correct protective actions and had the highest perceived efficacy, followed by those who saw the infographic.

The Social Contagion of Risk Perceptions of Emerging Technologies through Evolutionary Game in Networks

Emerging technologies are leading the fourth industrial revolution, bringing profound changes to modern life. However, the contagion of public risk perceptions pertaining to these technologies may result in new social stability risks according to the social amplification of risk framework (SARF). As such, understanding the formation and contagion mechanisms behind public risk perceptions of emerging technologies is critical to promoting their increased receptivity. Based on an evolutionary game theoretical approach to complex networks, this paper constructs a social contagion model of the risk perception of emerging technologies and uses simulations to analyze the influence of factors such as individual cognition and social environment. Results indicate the following: (1) the rate of risk perception contagion gradually increases with the level of individual risk perception and trust in communicators; (2) the risk perception contagion rate gradually decreases as the level of risk governance participation increases; and (3) comparing different social networks, kinship networks have a greater effect than social media networks on risk perception contagion.

Semantics-enriched spatiotemporal mapping of public risk perceptions for cultural heritage during radical events

Cultural heritage, especially those inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is meant to be valued by mankind and protected for future generations. Triggered by radical and sometimes disastrous Heritage-Related Events (HREs), communities around the world are actively involved on social media to share their opinions and emotional attachments. This paper presents exploratory data analyses on a dataset collected from Twitter concerning HREs in World Heritage that triggered global concerns, with cases of the Notre Dame Paris fire and the Venice flood, both in 2019. The spatiotemporal patterns of tweeting behaviours of online communities before, during, and after the event demonstrate a clear distinction of activation levels caused by the HREs. The dominant emotions and topics of people during the online debate are detected and visualized with pre-trained deep-learning models and unsupervised clustering algorithms. Clear spatiotemporal dynamics can be observed from the data collected in both case studies, while each case also demonstrated its specific characteristics due to the different severity. The methodological framework proposed and the analytical outcomes obtained in this paper could be used both in urban studies to mine the public opinions about HREs and other urban events for reducing risks, and by the Geo-AI community to test spatiotemporal clustering algorithms.

Impact of psychological distance on public acceptance of waste-to-energy combustion projects

Waste-to-energy (WTE) projects have attracted considerable attention due to their role in addressing waste management issues and promoting renewable energy production. However, while public acceptance of these projects remains controversial, psychological distance (PD) may be a key shaping factor in their construction. This study, grounded in the Construal Level Theory (CLT) and social distance theory of power, uses a behavioral investigation experiment to examine the role of PD in WTE facilities. The findings reveal that shorter PD is associated with higher public perception of risk and lower perception of economic benefits, fairness, and public acceptance. Additionally, a closer social distance of power tends to correspond with lower construal levels and a greater inclination to support the construction of WTE facilities, further supporting the CLT and social distance theory of power. The findings provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the sustainable development of WTE facilities, encouraging a sense of shared destiny and collaborative governance across society.

Development of a Risk Communication in Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Module for Nurses: A Process Description

Risk communication is necessary for any emergency response to disseminate information and increase public risk perception. Although communication skills are a core competency of nurses, they are learned only during nursing studies and do not include risk communication skills, particularly in global health emergencies. Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) modules can help improve learners’ critical-thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. However, research has revealed that the MOOC module on risk communication for nurses has not been developed recently. This study created a module on risk communication in global health emergencies using the extended Massive Open Online Course (xMOOC) framework. The module was developed based on Thiagarajan and Semmel’s (1974) 4D development model (i.e. Define, design, develop and disseminate). Due to time and financial constraints, however, the model was modified to have only three stages: define, design and develop. The validity of the produced xMOOC module was evaluated by six subject matter experts using evaluation checklists, and the results were analysed using two methods: the percentage calculation method (PCM) and the content validity index (CVI). The PCM scores for the module content and the xMOOC course design were 85.4% and 95.83%, respectively, and the CVI for the module content was 0.95, and for the xMOOC course design, 0.92. Both types of content validity tests showed that this xMOOC module had excellent content validity and could be used to improve risk communication knowledge and skills in future nursing educational programmes. Due to the implementation of this xMOOC module, the continuing nursing education programme has gained increased attractiveness as well as significance on a worldwide basis.

The role of framing in public support for direct air capture: A moral hazard survey experiment in the United States

Limiting global warming will likely require removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and keeping it out of the atmosphere by sequestering it. Public support is crucial for a rapid upscaling of carbon removal and sequestration. One central concern is that public support for these negative emissions technologies (NETs) could be hampered by a moral hazard: that NETs could undermine mitigation efforts and should thus be avoided. Building on previous research, we investigate four novel ways of framing the use of a form of carbon removal from the atmosphere that is currently of broad interest, direct air capture (DAC). We frame DAC use in terms of either necessity (DAC for limiting climate change being either essential or dependent on future mitigation) or temporality (DAC of either past or future emissions from the atmosphere). In a survey experiment with a nationally representative U.S. sample (N = 2891) we examined how these frames affect public support and risk perceptions in the U.S. for DAC, and the roles of prior awareness of DAC, climate change worry, and their interactions with the different frames. Frames differentially influenced support depending on prior awareness and climate change worry, higher levels of which were associated with more support for DAC (but also greater anticipated moral hazard) independent of the frames. Overall, framing only weakly affected public support, which was on average modest. These insights extend previous findings regarding the limited usefulness of moral hazard frames, but highlight the potential value of tailoring DAC messaging to different target audiences.

The role of knowledge and trust in developing risk perceptions of autonomous vehicles: a moderated mediation model

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) hold promise for revolutionizing transportation and reducing accidents. However, public opinions of AVs remain ambivalent and negative, potentially related to the risk of they perceive. The present study considers the complex dynamics shaping public risk perceptions of AVs, emphasizing the mediating role of trust in the relationship between AV-related knowledge and risk perceptions. The study also considers desire for experience, perceived safety, and deference toward scientific authority as moderators in this relationship. This cross-sectional survey sampled a total of 323 U.S. adults from an online panel. Findings reveal that trust significantly mediates the connection between knowledge and risk perceptions. Desire for experience intensifies the positive association between knowledge and trust. Perceived safety strengthens the negative association between trust and risk perceptions. While deference toward scientific authority did not influence the knowledge-trust relationship, it moderated the impact of trust on risk perceptions. The findings highlighted the need for a nuanced approach to public engagement, emphasizing trust-building initiatives alongside knowledge dissemination. Overall, the research contributed valuable insights for stakeholders navigating the future of AVs built on public acceptance and risk perception.

Public awareness, risk perceptions and behaviour towards antibiotic use in food-producing animals and antimicrobial resistance in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Malaysia. Understanding risk perceptions on antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals from the general public perspective is an essential component in addressing AMR. However, little is known about public risk perceptions of AMU and AMR in food-producing animals in Malaysia. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness, risk perceptions, and behaviour regarding antibiotic use in food-producing animals and antimicrobial resistance and to examine the factors associated with risk perceptions and the relationship between knowledge, awareness, risk perceptions and behaviour among the general public in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was used. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyse data and present results. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with risk perceptions and the relationship between risk perceptions and behaviour. A total of 416 individuals participated in the study. The majority of the participants (69.2 %) had low knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic use in food-producing animals. The levels of awareness of antibiotic use and the perceived route of antibiotic resistance transfer were moderate. Participants had a high level of general risk perception (GRP) of antibiotic use, a moderate level of personal-level risk perception (PRP) of antibiotic resistance transmission, and a high level of societal-level risk perception (SRP) of antibiotic resistance transmission. Awareness of antibiotic use was a significant predictor of GRP (β = 0.27, 95 %CI: 0.12–0.31, P < 0.001). Awareness of route of resistance transfer was a significant predictor of PRP (β = 0.54, 95 %CI: 0.32–0.44, P < 0.001) and SRP (β = 0.47, 95 %CI: 0.32–0.46, P < 0.001). PRP is the only significant predictor of behavioural changes towards antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance (OR = 1.45 [1.02–2.07], P = 0.041). Overall, there is a general lack of knowledge and little awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals in Malaysia. Risk perceptions were moderate to high and were significantly predicted by awareness of antibiotic use and route of resistance transfer. Personal-level risk perception was a significant predictor of behavioural changes aimed at reducing the risk of AMU and AMR. It is imperative to raise public awareness and understanding of the risks associated with AMU in food-producing animals. Risk communication should be emphasised to ensure the translation of public risk perceptions into behavioural changes.

The impact of perceived cyber-risks on automated vehicle acceptance: Insights from a survey of participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia

No study has systematically investigated the public's perceptions of cyber risks and their relationship with the acceptance of fully Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). To address this knowledge gap, we developed a conceptual model and investigated the impact of the cyber-emulated risks (cyberattack, safety risk, connectivity risk, privacy risk, and performance risk) that may influence the adoption of CAVs. We tested the proposed model using structural equation modelling with a nationally representative sample of 2062 adults from the US, UK, New Zealand, and Australia.The results indicate that perceived cyberattacks had a significant but marginally neutral effect on usage intent, illustrating the acceptance of technical risk with CAVs. This finding challenges the commonly held belief that cyberattacks negatively influence the adoption of products and technology in other product development fields, such as information technology. CAV cyberattacks elevate concerns about safety, connectivity, privacy, and performance risks. Interestingly, connectivity risk had no significant impact on CAV's behaviour intention, but mediation analysis showed it indirectly affects CAV's acceptance through privacy and performance risks. Regarding socio-demographic and technological attributes, participants of older age, middle income, low-middle education, high cybersecurity knowledge and AV understanding exhibit high anxiety about CAV cyberattacks. The results hold significant policy implications, suggesting the need for tailored strategies in enhancing the cybersecurity of CAVs to ensure their successful adoption and deployment. The findings of this study aim to enhance the quality of transport policy and bridge the gap between theory and practice in addressing cyber risks in the transport sector.

How to identify public risk perception in public health emergencies and explore its driving mechanism? An empirical analysis in the Xi'an epidemic

Public risk perception is the psychological perception and cognitive behavior towards public health emergencies, the high level of which can seriously threaten mental health and social stability. However, scholarly focus often neglects the specific risks associated with public health emergencies and the individual differences among the public. Addressing these gaps, this study takes the Xi'an epidemic as an example, proposing a Word2vec-BiLSTM-based risk perception identification model. Additionally, it investigates the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of risk perception by introducing life cycle factors. Furthermore, adopting a triple definition of risk, the study innovatively employs the GTWR model to explore the driving influences of existing risk, foreseeable risk, and communication risk on risk perception. The results indicate temporal fluctuations in risk perception, with an initial increase followed by a decline, and a spatial distribution pattern characterized by "high in the middle and low on both sides". The influence of risk grade on risk perception shifts from positive to negative over time, being a dominant force. Population density exhibits a minor negative effect, while number of participants shows a gradually increasing positive correlation. These findings offer a novel perspective for policymakers to optimize legal regulations and enhance guidance mechanisms to reduce public risk perception.

IS BISPHENOL A (BPA) A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN? A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND RISK PERCEPTION IN SOUTHWESTERN PART OF NIGERIA

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Exposure to BPA is a public health concern because studies since the last decade have consistently linked BPA with several physiological disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological, obesity, and some forms of cancers. Hence, this study assessed the level of BPA knowledge and awareness among randomly selected individuals in the Southwestern part of Nigeria. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing a survey specifically designed to collect data for the research. Different statistical methods were utilized including descriptive and inferential to analyze the data and to assess exploratory variables such as public knowledge, attitude, and risk perception. Findings revealed that though 96.2 % knew chemicals in plastics could cause adverse health effects, the level of knowledge on BPA and its attendant health risks among the sample population was abysmally low (only 35% knew this subject). However, most of our respondents interestingly expressed great attitude in terms of willingness to share information learned about BPA to others in the community. Based on the findings of this study, a massive awareness campaign about BPA and associated health risks would be required through effective scientific communication to improve public health outcomes.

Flood Risk Perception and Government’s Role in Implementing Regulations

This study investigates the relationship between public perceptions of flood risk, participation in government action, satisfaction with government efforts, knowledge of flood prevention, and institutional trust in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Employing a quantitative approach, the research utilizes structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships among these variables across six disaster-prone communities in Freetown from 2017 to 2022. Data were collected from 1,500 respondents using STATSL2020 questionnaire, covering flood risk perception, public participation, satisfaction with government actions, flood knowledge, and institutional trust. The analysis reveals that higher public participation and institutional trust correlate with lower perceived flood risks, while a greater perception of flood risk negatively affects views on government efforts. Furthermore, the findings indicate that knowledge and trust influence the impact of public engagement on satisfaction with government actions, with demographic variables such as gender, age, income, and education playing a role in these relationships. This study empirically demonstrates the relationship between institutional trust and public participation in flood risk perception, highlighting the importance of clear communication and participatory strategies in building trust and satisfaction in government flood risk management. The research underscores the significance of involving communities in disaster prevention efforts and the need for transparent communication to enhance public trust and satisfaction with government regulations for flood disaster prevention.

Public Perception of Climate Risk, Environmental Image, and Corporate Green Investment

Climate risk has garnered greater attention in recent years, increasing the public’s demand for climate change information. Public attention to climate risk has also increased corporate environmental governance pressure, which inevitably has an impact on the green investment of enterprises. To deepen the understanding of the issue, this article uses Chinese A-share listed manufacturing companies as a research sample from 2018 to 2022 to investigate the impact of public climate risk perception on corporate green investment. This research found that public perception of climate risk can help to promote green investment among enterprises; its route of action is generally achieved through green technological innovation; and an environmentally conscious image can strengthen the promotion effect of the public perception of climate risk on green investment. Further, public perceptions of climate risk contribute more to corporate green investment and the moderating effect of environmental image is more significant in regions with low levels of environmental regulation. This study not only helps to improve the level of public participation in climate governance, but also accounts for environmental regulation limitations. Clear enterprise differentiation and preventive green investment have a positive impact on enterprises and has the ability to improve climate governance and help companies consciously fulfill their environmental responsibility.

How Does the Internet Impact the Public’s Perception of Information Security Risk?

Clarifying the relationship between internet use and public information security risk perception helps us gain a better understanding of the factors influencing public risk perception. However, the relationship is still under-explored. This paper empirically examines the relationship between internet use and information security risk perception based on data from the 2021 Chinese Social Survey. It was found that whether to use the internet and the frequency of use are both significantly positively correlated with the perception of information security risk. On this basis, the mechanism by which internet use affects public information security risk perceptions is verified from the perspective of interpersonal trust. The mechanism analysis found that interpersonal trust exerts an indirect effect between internet use and perceived information security risk. The findings of this study provide new insights for our further understanding of how internet use affects residents’ perceptions of security risk.