Privacy and Safety on Social Networking Sites: Autistic and Non-Autistic Teenagers’ Attitudes and Behaviors

Autistic teenagers are suspected to be more vulnerable to privacy and safety threats on social networking sites (SNS) than the general population. However, there are no studies comparing these users’ privacy and safety concerns and protective strategies online with those reported by non-autistic teenagers. Furthermore, researchers have yet to identify possible explanations for autistic teenagers’ increased risk of online harms. To address these research gaps, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 autistic and 16 non-autistic teenagers assessing their privacy- and safety-related attitudes and behaviors on SNS, and factors affecting them. We used videos demonstrating relevant SNS scenarios as prompts to engage participants in conversation. Through our thematic analyses, we found evidence that autistic teenagers may be more averse to taking risks on SNS than non-autistic teenagers. Yet, several personal, social, and SNS design factors may make autistic teenagers more vulnerable to cyberbullying and social exclusion online. We provide recommendations for making SNS safer for autistic teenagers. Our research highlights the need for more inclusive usable privacy and security research with this population.

Cosine similarity-based algorithm for social networking recommendation

Social media have become a discussion platform for individuals and groups. Hence, users belonging to different groups can communicate together. Positive and negative messages as well as media are circulated between those users. Users can form special groups with people who they already know in real life or meet through social networking after being suggested by the system. In this article, we propose a framework for recommending communities to users based on their preferences; for example, a community for people who are interested in certain sports, art, hobbies, diseases, age, case, and so on. The framework is based on a feature extraction algorithm that utilizes user profiling and combines the cosine similarity measure with term frequency to recommend groups or communities. Once the data is received from the user, the system tracks their behavior, the relationships are identified, and then the system recommends one or more communities based on their preferences. Finally, experimental studies are conducted using a prototype developed to test the proposed framework, and results show the importance of our framework in recommending people to communities.

Sexual function and problematic use of smartphones and social networking sites

Introduction. The use of social networking sites (SNS) sometimes acquires an addictive-like quality, often referred to as problematic use of SNS. This condition overlaps with problematic (addictive-like) use of smartphones, as the latter are commonly used for online social networking in addition to other activities that may gain addictive-like qualities. There is ample evidence that problematic use of smartphones and SNS is associated with poorer mental health, but research on associations with sexual function is scarce. Thus, we examined if sexual difficulties are related to problematic use of SNS and smartphones. Methods: Data from four studies conducted in Portugal were collapsed, resulting in 946 women and 235 men providing data on sexual function and problematic use of smartphones, and in 536 women and 194 men providing data on sexual function and problematic use of SNS. Female sexual function was assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised (FSDS–R). Male sexual function was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Problematic smartphone use was measured by the Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS–SV). Problematic use of SNS was measured by the Internet Addiction Scale (IAT) specifically adapted to online social networking.Results: In women, problematic use of smartphones and SNS correlated with lower sexual arousal, difficulties lubricating, difficulties having orgasms, sexual dissatisfaction, coital pain, and greater sexual distress. In men, problematic use of smartphones and SNS correlated with lower erectile function. Men’s problematic use of SNS correlated additionally with lower desire, intercourse dissatisfaction, overall sexual dissatisfaction, and more difficulties having orgasms. In a subsample of 311 women and 94 men with data on use of smartphones and SNS, multiple regressions predicting sexual function domains from age, problematic smartphone use, and problematic use of SNS, were performed. In women, problematic use of SNS independently predicted lower arousal, dissatisfaction, pain, and more sexual distress. Problematic use of smartphones independently predicted more difficulties lubricating. In men, problematic use of SNS independently predicted lower erectile function, intercourse dissatisfaction, and overall dissatisfaction.Discussion: Addictive-like use of SNS might be a risk factor for sexual difficulties. Our findings corroborate previous research.

Measuring the use of students of the Department of Information Studies for social networks ... Section page on Facebook, model

Social networking is one of the most recently used technologies because of its advantages, spread and interaction. It is one of the most prominent applications of the second generation Web 2.0, which has effectively imposed itself on the users of the internet. Facebook network comes second after search engine at the global level, "Google". It is noted that they are highly efficient in providing information services and representation of information institutions and facilities in the virtual world. it is agreed that the progress of the societies is measured according to their ability to free and fast access to information and to use it to generate knowledge that reaches wisdom, progress and excellence. At this point, the importance of studies of information is shown in general and Webometrics in particular, which means that the set of statistical methods and measurements used to study the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information resources, structures, uses and techniques on the web, is found to be bibliometric studies designed to study and analyze reference citations, can be applied to the information resources available on the web such as the links of web pages and the use of those sites. Therefore, the study aims to monitor students' attitudes towards the use of social networking sites in general, and the Facebook page of the department of information studies of the Libyan Academy particularly. To identify the view of the students of the information management division and the management of the archive to their identify satisfaction with the information services provided by the page, and the extent of knowledge of the links of electronic sources of information, and the extent to meet their needs and scientific desires, and to what extent related to academic and research interests.

How the Exposure to Beauty Ideals on Social Networking Sites Influences Body Image: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

Sharing and viewing photos on social networking sites (SNSs) have been identified as particularly problematic for body image. Although correlational research to date has established that SNS use is associated with increased body dissatisfaction, only experimental studies can enhance confidence in the conclusions drawn. For this reason, this systematic review synthesizes data from 43 experimental studies (N = 8637; %F = 89.56; mean age = 21.58 ± 1.78) examining the effect of viewing idealized images (i.e., attractive, thin, and fit) and body positive content on SNSs on body image. Two studies were conducted on adolescents. Each study had slight variations in how the images were presented for each category (e.g., selfies and photos taken by others). The wide variability in experimental stimuli and psychological moderators used in the published research make a systematic review more feasible and meaningful than a meta-analysis. Findings indicate that viewing idealized images on SNSs lead to increased body dissatisfaction among young women and men. State appearance comparison (i.e., engaging in social comparison while viewing images) significantly mediated the effect, whereas trait appearance comparison (i.e., the relatively stable general tendency to engage in social comparison) was a significant moderator. Mixed results were found regarding the exposure to body positive images/captions. Viewing images on SNSs depicting unattainable beauty ideals leads young people to feel dissatisfied about their bodies, with appearance comparison processing playing an important role. More research is required to assess the long-term effects.

Minorities rely on social networks to publicize their issues A Survey of Minorities in Iraq (Nineveh as an example)

The research aims to identify the extent to which minorities depend on social networking sites to introduce their issues and to know the extent to which minorities follow these sites and to identify the most important sites they rely on and the extent of their trust in them and to know the effects resulting from their dependence on these sites after these sites have become one of the most important promotional means for what It is characterized by the ease of communication and creating a public space for discussion and formation of views. This research is a descriptive research that adopted the survey method. The research tools are observation, interview, and questionnaire that were used to collect data for the field study. The research sample is a simple random sample from the total community of minorities located within the geographical area of Nineveh Governorate. The research concluded with a set of results, most notably: the respondents’ reliance on social networking sites to get acquainted with the news of the sect to which they belong. Follow-up on social networking sites, and the search results showed the side of the terms closest to the respondent for the category (components) and then (minorities).