New article on age differences in privacy attitudes, literacy and management on Facebook

In a new article published in the Online Self-disclosure and Privacy special issue of Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, SIMLAB researchers Murat Kezer, Barış Sevi, Zeynep Cemalcılar, and Lemi Baruh discuss age differences concerning Facebook users' privacy attitudes and privacy management. The article compares three age groups  (18-40, 41-65, 65+) in terms of their tendency to self-disclose on Facebook, their privacy attitudes, privacy literacy and use of privacy protective measures.

The study reports that young adults are more likely than other age groups to self-disclose on Facebook; yet, they are also the age group that is most likely to utilize privacy protective measures on Facebook. Furthermore, using a multidimensional approach to privacy attitude measurement, the study reports that while young adults are more likely to be concerned about their own privacy, mature adults tend to be more concerned about others’ privacy. Finally, the findings of the study suggest that the impact of privacy attitudes on privacy-protective behaviors is strongest among mature adults. 

Here is the link to the full article.

We thank the editors of the special issue Michel Walrave, Sonja Utz, Alexander P. Schouten, Wannes Heirman for the opportunity. 

Articles in the special issue are accessible from this link.