Personality Traits and Information Privacy Concern on Social Media Platforms

AbstractThis article reports on an exploratory study that examines the relationship between Big Five personality traits and computer anxiety as antecedents of individuals' concern for information privacy (CFIP) on social media platforms and the consequent relationship between individuals' CFIP and behavioral intentions to provide their personal information to online merchants. Using data from 298 undergraduate students, individuals that score highly on agreeableness and conscientiousness were found to be concerned about the privacy of their information on social media platforms. Contrary to hypothesis, computer anxiety was found to have a negative relationship with behavioral intentions. CFIP was found to fully mediate the relationship between computer anxiety and behavioral intentions. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.