Strategically Communicating

The age of the internet is causing severe growing pains for America, especially when it comes to the issue of privacy. The article: The ‘Privacy Paradox’ in the Social Web:
The Impact of Privacy Concerns, Individual Characteristics, and the Perceived Social Relevance on Different Forms of Self-Disclosure author Monika Taddicken conducted communication research at the University of Hamburg, Grindelberg. The focus of this research was centered around the “privacy paradox”, which suggests, while people are concerned about their privacy on the internet, their behavior does not match those concerns. To deduct if this paradox exists, Taddicken used online survey’s to examine the contrast between people’s concern for privacy, verses their self- disclosure rates.

Before we get into the findings of this article, I feel like I should discuss my own personal reflection about this topic. With much debate recently over the first amendment, free speech, and fake news, it’s easy to forget about the importance of the fourth amendment – the right to privacy. While reading this article, I found myself wondering why it has been so easy for me to self-disclose my personal informational on the internet. I feel now more than ever it is important to fight to sustain these rights, and stay vigilant on this issue.

In conclusion, the findings of the article pointed out some key factors. Younger people disclosed more personal information, female users are more affected by their online privacy concerns, and finally the results indicate that privacy concerns hardly impacts one’s actions of self-disclosure proving the privacy paradox.

CBS looks into web privacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx1AUupLn2w&t=44s