Privacy and Social Network Behavior

Naturally, human beings are social creatures as their needs and necessities compel them to live as a community (University of Minnesota, 2023). Besides, our health and welfare are intricately cinched to the well-being of our society and our constant interactions with one another. Often, behaviors, demeanors, and norms are set by the community. Today, social networks offer value to us and the community at large such that they are oftentimes referred to as “social capital.” We share a lot of information about ourselves (family, cars, properties, work, etc.) on social networks (Madden, et al., 2013). Nevertheless, some users embrace a private approach to social media by taking several steps to restrict their profiles. Also, their reputation management patterns on social media differ immensely compared with those who don’t. They are part of the online community that is concerned about its privacy and reputation on social networks (Madden, et al., 2013).

Online Privacy

Also known as internet privacy, online privacy is the degree of privacy protection a person gets while browsing the internet. This comprises the security of their Personal Identifiable Information (PII), financial information, communication, and preferences (Cong, 2011). With vast amounts of personal information on social networks, malicious actors can devise ways to spy, steal, and stage cyber-attacks using our identities. Data security concerns and privacy control gaps on social networks can put your personal information at risk. Luckily, there are ways to prevent violation of your personal information on social media by creating strong passwords, avoiding oversharing of personal information, avoiding using public Wi-Fi, using Virtual Private Network (VPN), and leveraging additional data security solutions among others.

While online privacy norms are changing and becoming exceedingly complex, several studies have found that it is unwarranted to presume that everything shared online is certainly public (Madden, et al., 2013). Although not every social media user understands or makes use of privacy settings, research shows that many users are indeed interested in online privacy. As many people share their personal information and other sensitive media content on social media, they are verily concerned with regulating what information is accessible to which viewers (Madden, et al., 2013). Surveys on social network behaviors to examine user’s preferences and norms regarding their data, particularly on confidentiality and reputation management shows that most users take strict measures to regulate their reputation (Boyd & Hargittai, 2010).

Social Network Behaviors 

Social media is a massive pool of knowledge; amassed over a long period and perpetually supplemented, helpfully serving the necessities of research, education, and knowledge improvement (Cambridge University. (2012). It is a salient platform that enables effective exchange of information, promoting vibrancy in society, and as a way of making new friends (Oyza & Agwu, 2015). Social media offers users modern entertainment, enriched with a variety of genres, like watching films, reading stories, listening to music, watching live events, playing games, etc. Social networks such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Pinterest, etc. have become part of us.

Virtually every person has at least one social media account (Colm, 2017), which they use “almost constantly.” One notable behavior of most users is that they continually update their statuses, post charming photos, and share sensuous life milestone images to stay popular with their peers and fans. Others post their kids’ photos, schools their children attend, cars, houses, etc. The question what causes them to behave that way, are they mindful of their privacy, are they aware of the repercussions?

Social media offers social support, which is particularly significant for marginalized users, like senior citizens as well as gender and sexual minorities. Also, social networks are useful tools for propagating mental health resources for kids and adolescents and assisting young people in seeking assistance or expert care when required. Apparently, social media sites could act as an entranceway to mental health care as it serves as a stressor buffer.

Notwithstanding, various studies reveal that “extreme usage” of social media, especially among teens and youth has adverse implications, including anxiety disorder, depression, self-esteem issues, inadequate sleep, and eating disorders among others (Nguyen, 2020). Some users are sometimes or repeatedly subjected to cyberbullying, online harassment, and hate-based content resulting in negative emotions and suicidal behaviors. It distracts learning in students and causes them to live “virtual lives” online. People make “bad” friends on social media creating opportunities for kidnappers to execute heinous operations.

Privacy Paradox on Social Networks

While most people are interested in their online privacy, “sometimes” or “often” they tend to be quite self-contradictory. Despite serious concerns regarding the loss of control over their precious data online, data subjects (social media users) continuously produce and knowingly reveal their information (Ogbuitepu, 2023). This inconsistent social network behavior/trait of online users is referred to as the “privacy paradox.”

Often, people generously reveal their personal data to get supposedly “free” services irrespective of grave privacy concerns. In such cases, digital users may weigh the potential benefits of revealing their sensitive personal information against the anticipated losses of their privacy. They consciously submit their personal data on websites and applications if the expected gains (tangible benefits) outweigh the intangible consequences (privacy issues). Researchers argue that the divulgence of private data is an extremely contextual decision made after the assessment of situation-specific variables (Ogbuitepu, 2023). Behavioral economists associate digital users’ bounded rationality with their paradoxical privacy attitude. As such, they cannot grasp and process information regarding data security, data processing, and data breach as they are cognitively incapable.

Final Thoughts

Some people wrongly perceive social media as a virtual world where they can share inaccurate information, fabricate false stories and events, and freely condemn other users without legal implications (Cong, 2011). Other users easily interact with their peers and use social media as a stress reliever. Acceptable social network behaviors call for users to respect, care, listen, and understand others. All comments ought to be sensitive and objective, showing the correct attitude and emotions. Most importantly, social media users must be mindful of their privacy, to prevent their sensitive personal information from falling into the wrong hands.