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Cited by 696Privacy, Security, and Data ProtectionImpact of Technology on AdolescentsMedia and Digital Communication

Information Disclosure and Control on Facebook: Are They Two Sides of the Same Coin or Two Different Processes?

Christofides, Emily, Muise, Amy, Desmarais, Serge·2009·CyberPsychology & Behavior
DOI 10.1089/cpb.2008.0226
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Abstract

Facebook, the popular social network site, is changing the nature of privacy and the consequences of information disclosure. Despite recent media reports regarding the negative consequences of disclosing information on social network sites such as Facebook, students are generally thought to be unconcerned about the potential costs of this disclosure. The current study explored undergraduate students' information disclosure and information control on Facebook and the personality factors that influence levels of disclosure and control. Participants in this online survey were 343 undergraduate students who were current users of Facebook. Results indicated that participants perceived that they disclosed more information about themselves on Facebook than in general, but participants also reported that information control and privacy were important to them. Participants were very likely to have posted information such as their birthday and e-mail address, and almost all had joined an online network. They were also very likely to post pictures such as a profile picture, pictures with friends, and even pictures at parties and drinking with friends. Contrary to expectations, information disclosure and information control were not significantly negatively correlated, and multiple regression analyses revealed that while disclosure was significantly predicted by the need for popularity, levels of trust and self-esteem predicted information control. Therefore, disclosure and control on Facebook are not as closely related as expected but rather are different processes that are affected by different aspects of personality. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1089/cpb.2008.0226

Cites

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  • Need for popularity is related to self-disclosure on the SNS.

    “Christofides, Muise, and Desmarais (2009) reported that need for popularity was related to self-disclosure on the SNS.”

    From The Role of Social Network Sites in Romantic Relationships: Effects on Jealousy and Relationship Happiness (2011) · cites this paper as Christofides, Muise, and Desmarais (2009)

  • Facebook creates an environment where information is shared proactively because of the site's influence on a user's need for popularity.

    “The authors concluded that FB creates an environment where information is shared proactively because of the site's influence on a user's need for popularity.”

    From Why do people use Facebook? (2012) · cites this paper as Christofides, Muise, & Desmarais, 2009

  • The tendency to disclose and the need for popularity were the only two significant predictors of information disclosure on Facebook.

    “The study found that the tendency to disclose and the need for popularity were the only two significant predictors of information disclosure on FB.”

    From Why do people use Facebook? (2012) · cites this paper as Christofides, Muise, & Desmarais, 2009

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Authors
Christofides, E., Muise, A., & Desmarais, S.
Affiliations
University of Guelph (CA)
ORCID
Venue
CyberPsychology & Behavior
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2009-06
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
341-345
ISSN
  • 1094-9313 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-8364
DOI
10.1089/cpb.2008.0226
OpenAlex
W2046435680
Cited by
696
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 77 · 2014: 79 · 2013: 78 · 2012: 59
FWCI
133.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.liebertpub.com/nv/resources-tools/text-and-data-mining-policy/121/ (tdm)
Locations
  • CyberPsychology & Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › Media and Digital Communication
Keywords
Facebook, information disclosure, information control, privacy, social network sites, undergraduate students, trust, self-esteem, personality factors, online privacy
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Communication, Female, Humans, Male, Personality Inventory, Psychometrics, Self Concept, Self Disclosure, Social Desirability, Social Identification, Social Support, Software Design, Students, Privacy, Internet, Friends, Trust, Young Adult

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