SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE PRIVACY : A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS PERCEPTIONS

IN SHAH ALAM

PROBLEM STATEMENT
The social networking phenomenon is consuming the lives of millions of users around the world.
Since the inception of the first social networking site, SixDegrees.com in 1997 (Boyd and
Ellison, 2008), the social networking craze has grown beyond all expectations. Nielsen (2009)
reports two-thirds of internet users are using social networking and blogging sites. The rate of
adoption of social networking sites continues to grow as individuals search to become part of a
virtual community, to share opinions and to connect and socialize with people of similar interests
(Chaffey et al., 2009). Social networking users appear to be comfortable living a part of their
lives openly and freely through online networks, often oblivious to the risks (Rosenblum, 2007).
While privacy risks tend to be underplayed on social networking sites, the reality is the public
sphere that is the internet means millions of users around the world are interacting and
socializing in an extremely open and public environment. Unless protective controls are actively
used social networking users risk losing control over their personal information, which
subsequently erodes online privacy.
Leading social networking site Facebook recently reached a milestone of 1 billion users (BBC,
2015). Since the website became a public access model in 2006 the growth of the website has
been extraordinary which is Facebook has developed and commercialized rapidly, introducing
new features and services for Facebook users. However the continued development has come at
a price to the user which is a loss to their privacy. Facebook users continue to exhibit growing
concern regarding lapses in privacy on the online social network.
The concern reached its peak in December 2009 when Facebook, by default, made all users
information publicly available (Rothery, 2010). The controversy surrounding Facebooks
continued lapses in privacy has been in the media spotlight in recent months and the topic of
privacy on social networking sites has become a worldwide debate.
Therefore, in view of this gap, this study examines Facebook users perceptions of online privacy
in a social networking context. Facebook users current awareness of privacy issues and the
influence of this awareness on behavior are closely examined.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE PRIVACY : A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS PERCEPTIONS
IN SHAH ALAM

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
RO 1 To examine Facebook users perceptions of online privacy in a social network context.
RO 2 To explore their awareness of privacy issues and how their behavior is influenced by this
awareness, as well as the role of trust in an online social networking environment
RO 3 To explore which of the factors that is dominant in influencing the users towards sharing
the information in Facebook.

RESEARCH QUESTION
RQ 1 How do the social and personality factors influence the users attitude towards
publicizing their personal information in Facebook?
RQ 2 What is the impact in the users lives after sharing their personal information in
Facebook?
RQ 3 Are they aware that the information they share on Facebook correct or not?
RQ 4 Are the users feel safe when sharing the information in Facebook?
RQ 5 Are the users aware of the suspicious link/spam/virus that will affect the information
they share in facebook?

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE PRIVACY : A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS PERCEPTIONS
IN SHAH ALAM

Significant of study
Facebook is a medium or platform for people use it in a different purpose in terms of personal or
doing a business. But it has pro and cons when using Facebook in terms of online privacy. It is
good for the public, especially students as they are the younger generations; to be educated in
terms of awareness of privacy issues. Through this, they themselves can evaluate the
consequences of sharing the personal information and the negative impact they might be get
when they ignored it.
Social media especially Facebook has penetrated our daily lives so much that most of us do not
realize nor even bother about why or how we are so influenced on it. Through this study, students
will be informed and aware of the various different perceptions and factors in which they are
exposed to and whether it is relevant or not when they post or sharing something on Facebook.
When the students are more aware of this issue, they would get a clearer view of how they need
to be aware in terms of online privacy.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE PRIVACY : A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS PERCEPTIONS
IN SHAH ALAM

Scope of study
The subject of study is focused on the investigations on the perceptions of Facebook users
among students in terms of social networking and online privacy. This study will be carried out
among students because it can be said that most target audience of Facebook users would be the
young generations, as they are perceived to spend time more easily and often as compared to the
elderly. Besides that, most students nowadays also have their own gadget such as a laptop and
phone. Thus, they each have their own ways and time to connect with Facebook.
This study will be conducted in the area of Klang Valley, with the intention of gaining
information and understanding of young generation in terms of the perception of them towards
online privacy in Facebook. The location where this study will take place is in different areas of
Klang Valley, which most University students reside, study or go for leisure. The reason behind
this location is because in Klang Valley itself there are a number of Universities, which has vast
number of students coming from different backgrounds. Additionally, it is safe to say that most
students are more often exposed to social networking as they spend more of their time with their
gadgets.
This research will involve a total of 50-70 respondents of which consists of University students
in the Klang Valley. These students will be given a survey of which they will complete each of
the questions provided. These respondents are in the age range of 18 to 25, and it will be open to
people of all races and gender that are still pursuing their studies in Universities. A questionnaire
is a research instrument, which consists of a number of questions presented to gather the desired
information from the selected respondents. In this research study, close-ended questions will be
utilized in the questionnaire and will be presented to the respondents to be answered. The data
from the questionnaire will be collected from people of different backgrounds, race and gender,
but the same age group among University students of which may come from Klang Valley as
well as other states.

SOCIAL NETWORKING AND ONLINE PRIVACY : A CASE STUDY OF FACEBOOK USERS PERCEPTIONS
IN SHAH ALAM

Closed-ended questions are questions, which the respondent must answer by making a selection
from a prepared set of options (Wimmer & Domminick, 2011). In this questionnaire format,
respondents will be limited with a list of answer choices from which they must choose, such as
yes/no question, scale format or agree/disagree. Questionnaires will be distributed to
respondents consisting of University students.