Contextualised Concerns The Online Privacy Attitudes of Young Adults Michael DowdAugust 2010

Presentation structure Brief summary and critical evaluation of existing research. Outline of research approach. Presentation of interim findings.

VOME Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression –Exploring how people engage with concepts of privacy and consent in online interactions. –Collaborative project: The University of Salford, RHUL, Cranfield University, Sunderland City Council and Consult Hyperion. –Funded by TSB/EPSRC/ESRC under the EPAC (Ensuring Privacy and Consent) programme. –

Existing research

Survey based research: key findings ‘Determinant factors’: –Gender (Hoy and Milne, 2010; Coles-Kemp et al, 2010; Cho et al, 2009; Garbarino & Strahilevitz, 2004; Sheehan, 1999). –Age (Cho et al, 2009; Bellman et al, 2004; Nowak & Phelps, 1992). –Levels of education (Milne & Gordon, 1994; Wang & Petrison, 1993; Nowak & Phelps, 1992) –Levels of internet experience? ‘Privacy paradox’

Qualitative research into social networking sites Not just Danah Boyd! –Sonia Livingstone, Kate Raynes-Goldie, Susannah Stern, Jenny Ryan, Jane Lewis and Anne West… Generation of rich, contextual data: –Innovative privacy protective behaviours. –Provides a nuanced picture. Shortcomings: More ‘niche’ sites neglected. Cross-contextual comparisons cannot be made.

Research approach Sample: Young adults (16-20, born between 1990 and 1994). Method: semi-structured interviews. –“…instead of asking abstract questions, or taking a ‘one-size- fits-all’ structured approach, you may want to give maximum opportunity for the construction of contextual knowledge by focusing on relevant specifics in each interview […] The point really is that if what you are interested in, ontologically and epistemologically speaking, is for example a social process which operates situationally, then you will need to ask situational rather than abstract questions.” (Mason, 2002: 64). –Take place next to a laptop with internet access.

Interim findings Self-confidence: –Frank: “I got an ‘A’ in ICT so I know most stuff about computers and the internet” Personal responsibility: –Luke: “…it’s just what you get yourself into, what you allow yourself to get into” Deception: –Strangers vs. Known parties.

Interim findings ‘Identity theft’: threat to reputation. Gender issues: –Meeting ‘new girls’ Frank: “Obviously you’re gonna try and get chatting on to them” –Online harassment Julie: “Ah, all the men and stuff adding me all the time” –Stereotypes ‘Dirty old men’ Vulnerable women

Conclusion Provided outline of research and its relationship with existing literature. Contended that the value of social science in this area is in contributing rich, situated data which can help us understand privacy attitudes in context. Called for more qualitative research into online privacy attitudes: not just into Facebook! Thank you for listening!

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