Privacy Coping and Information-Sharing Behaviors in Social Media: A Comparison of Chinese and U.S. Users

Abstract

Although many studies examine privacy in social media settings, few studies examine privacy issues that may arise due to characteristics of user populations. This study compares privacy issues among social media users in the United States and China. It also explores privacy issues among users with different levels of Internet addiction and different online identity perceptions. In doing so, it identifies several populations that are more susceptible to privacy violations due to their online behaviors. The study finds that U.S. and Chinese users differ in their privacy coping and information-sharing behaviors. Chinese users may be at greater risk to privacy violations because of their online behaviors. Additionally, users addicted to social media and users with different online identities may be vulnerable to privacy violations. Potential explanations for these findings are provided and directions for future research are offered.

Keywords:

• Cultural Differences
• Information Sharing
• Internet Addiction
• Privacy Coping
• Social Media

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hamid Nemati

Hamid Nemati is an associate professor in the Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research interests include big data and business analytics, information security and privacy, and behavioral and social networking aspects of information technology development and use.

Jeffrey D. Wall

Jeffrey D. Wall is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research interests include information security and privacy and information-related deviance at the individual and organizational levels.

Anthony Chow

Anthony Chow is an associate professor in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research interests include information-seeking behavior, web design, usability, user experience, and human–computer interaction.