The role of digital literacy and digital data security awareness in online privacy concerns: a multi-group analysis with gender
ISSN: 1468-4527
Article publication date: 28 February 2024
Issue publication date: 8 August 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Online privacy pertains to an individual’s capacity to regulate and oversee the gathering and distribution of online information. Conversely, online privacy concern (OPC) pertains to the protection of personal information, along with the worries or convictions concerning potential risks and unfavorable outcomes associated with its collection, utilization and distribution. With a holistic approach to these relationships, this study aims to model the relationships between digital literacy (DL), digital data security awareness (DDSA) and OPC and how these relationships vary by gender.
Design/methodology/approach
The participants of this study are 2,835 university students. Data collection tools in the study consist of personal information form and three different scales. Partial least squares (PLS), structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis (MGA) were used to test the framework determined in the context of the research purpose and to validate the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
DL has a direct and positive effect on digital data security awareness (DDSA), and DDSA has a positive effect on OPC. According to the MGA results, the hypothesis put forward in both male and female sub-samples was supported. The effect of DDSA on OPC is higher for males.
Originality/value
This study highlights the positive role of DL and perception of data security on OPC. In addition, MGA findings by gender reveal some differences between men and women.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-03-2023-0122
Keywords
Citation
Saritepeci, M., Yildiz Durak, H., Özüdoğru, G. and Atman Uslu, N. (2024), "The role of digital literacy and digital data security awareness in online privacy concerns: a multi-group analysis with gender", Online Information Review, Vol. 48 No. 5, pp. 983-1001. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-03-2023-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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