Adolescents' Concern for Privacy When Using the Internet: An Empirical Analysis of Predictors and Relationships With Privacy-Protecting Behaviors

This study explores factors that influence the development of a "privacy concern" in adolescents and whether the development of such a privacy concern leads to the adoption of behaviors that can help teens protect themselves from risks associated with divulging private information when using the Internet. Results of the analyses indicate there are a number of predictors significantly associated with the development of a privacy concern in adolescents. Furthermore, results of the analyses suggest that heightening adolescents' concern for their privacy will lead to a greater likelihood that they will use a number of different privacy-protecting behaviors.