A mapping of the factors related to self-disclosure on social network sites

This exploratory study focused on Chinese social network sites (SNS) users to determine whether their online self-disclosure differed from offline and whether culture had an impact on the patterns of their self-disclosure. Sixteen active users of Chinese online social networks were interviewed about their self-disclosing experiences. Results of a qualitative analysis suggest that culture was likely to impact the behavior of study participants by modifying the patterns of self-disclosure. Participants tended to disclose themselves indirectly on SNS, strived to make positive impressions, and revealed few intimate issues. In face-to-face communication, the relationships between disclosers and target persons as well as the target persons' status and background influenced the contents of self-disclosure.

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Emerging Adults’ Views on Masspersonal Self-Disclosure and their Bridging Social Capital on Facebook

Journal of Adolescent Research ◽

10.1177/0743558419883789 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 111-146

Author(s):

Adriana M. Manago ◽

Chelsea J. Melton

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Social Network ◽

Identity Development ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Transition To Adulthood ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Civic Identity ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Bridging Social Capital ◽

Quantitative Results

Masspersonal self-disclosure on social network sites entails new risks and benefits for bridging social capital, defined as social resources such as a connection to and investment in large and heterogeneous collectives, which are important to develop during the transition to adulthood in democratic societies. To better understand motivations and social capital consequences of masspersonal self-disclosure among emerging adults, this mixed-method study examined how U.S. college students view various topics of masspersonal self-disclosure and whether values embedded in their views contributed to their perceived bridging social capital, after accounting for their Facebook use and the diversity of their networks. A total of 208 (110 women, 95 men, 3 non-binary, Mage = 20.28) students completed online questionnaires while referring to their Facebook profiles. Qualitative analyses showed how valuing self-expression, alongside other-focused values, informed participants’ decision-making about masspersonal self-disclosure. Quantitative results showed that valuing self-expression more frequently across topics of self-disclosure predicted bridging social capital; however, the use of Facebook privacy controls and indicators of ethnic and political diversity in students’ networks did not. We discuss the importance of values in understanding emerging adults’ behaviors on social network sites, their generation of bridging social capital, and civic identity development.

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Beyond self-disclosure: Disclosure of information about others in social network sites

Computers in Human Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.012 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 69 ◽

pp. 29-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Mehrdad Koohikamali ◽

Daniel A. Peak ◽

Victor R. Prybutok

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Disclosure Of Information

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THE QUALITY OF SURVEY SCALES FOR MEASURING INFORMATION PRIVACY CONCERNS ON SOCIAL NETWORK SITES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

AoIR Selected Papers of Internet Research ◽

10.5210/spir.v2021i0.12139 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jošt Bartol ◽

Andraž Petrovčič ◽

Vasja Vehovar

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

User Behavior ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Information Privacy ◽

Self Assessment ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Privacy Concerns ◽

Information Privacy Concerns ◽

Assessment Scales

Information privacy concerns (IPCs) play an important role in user behavior on social network sites (SNSs). They are associated with self-disclosure behavior, enjoyment, and, perhaps most importantly, a user’s intention and ability to form and sustain social ties on SNSs. While conceptual integration of different approaches to studying IPCs has already been pursued, prior research has pointed to potential problems with respect to the survey measurements of IPCs. More specifically, a plethora of self-assessment scales have been developed but the differences among them have not yet been systematically elaborated, and this is further complicated by many methodologically questionable adaptations of existing IPC survey scales to ever-emerging online contexts and SNS platforms. Accordingly, this study comprises a systematic literature review based on the COSMIN methodology to comprehensively examine the quality of survey scales used for measuring IPCs among SNS users. The results have unveiled significant variety with 35 uni- or multidimensional survey scales used in 71 articles published since 2009. Many of the scales are of questionable quality in terms of structural validity, and only a few of the studies tested them for measurement invariance. Nevertheless, we identified some scales that are promising candidates for future use, although further testing and potential improvements are needed. Our findings could also act as the foundation for a unified measurement approach to IPCs that could be used across different SNSs platforms.

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The privacy box: A software proposal

First Monday ◽

10.5210/fm.v14i11.2682 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Woodrow Hartzog

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Social Network ◽

Private Information ◽

Personal Information ◽

Social Network Sites ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Safe Place

The contradiction of social networks is that revealing of personal, private information can have harmful consequences, yet users continue to disclose such information at an alarming rate. Ironically, the advent of social network sites opens the possibility of a relatively safe place to disclose private information. This article proposes a “privacy box” application to be used within social network sites that would require users to accept a pre–written promise of confidentiality before gaining access to personal information. Although it would not serve as a universal remedy for privacy harms on social network sites, it could serve to carve out a space for relatively safe self–disclosure online.

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