What predicts online disinhibition? Examining perceptions of protection and control online and the moderating role of social anxiety

Article


Scott, Riley A, Stuart, Jaimee and Barber, Bonnie L.. 2022. "What predicts online disinhibition? Examining perceptions of protection and control online and the moderating role of social anxiety." CyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking. 25 (5), pp. 294-300. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0250
Article Title

What predicts online disinhibition? Examining perceptions of protection and control online and the moderating role of social anxiety

ERA Journal ID6216
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsScott, Riley A, Stuart, Jaimee and Barber, Bonnie L.
Journal TitleCyberPsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
Journal Citation25 (5), pp. 294-300
Number of Pages7
Year2022
PublisherMary Ann Liebert Inc
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN1094-9313
2152-2715
2152-2723
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0250
Web Address (URL)https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2021.0250
Abstract

With the pervasive nature of social media and Internet use among young adults, researchers have begun to explore experiences of online disinhibition, defined as reductions in restraint in online versus face-to-face settings. In contributing to this literature, this study aimed to test whether perceptions of the Internet as a place where one has the ability to be invisible, anonymous, and exercise control over interactions promotes greater online disinhibition. A sample of Australian young adults (N = 687; 59.8 percent female; Mage = 19.45 years, SD = 2.07) were included in the study. The sample was split to enable exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses on the measures of Internet perceptions, with results finding two subfactors; (a) perceptions of the ability to be protected, invisible, or feel safe online (labeled protection), and (b) perceptions of control over interactions and self-presentation online (labeled control). Links between perceptions of protection and control, and online disinhibition were then examined, before testing social anxiety as a moderator of these links. Results demonstrated that perceptions of protection, but not control, significantly predicted online disinhibition in young adults. Furthermore, this relationship was moderated by social anxiety such that young adults high in both social anxiety and perceptions of protection reported the highest online disinhibition. This study highlights novel perceptions of online contexts, illustrates their links with online disinhibition, and demonstrates how social anxiety may interact with perceptions of protection in predicting online experiences.

KeywordsSocial Anxiety; protection online; Internet perceptions; control online; online disinhibition; young adulthood
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020520505. Social psychology
520503. Personality and individual differences
470102. Communication technology and digital media studies
Public Notes

The accessible file is the accepted version of the paper. Please refer to the URL for the published version.

Byline AffiliationsGriffith University
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