Digital dilemmas: Influence of peer pressure and attitude towards digital privacy in social media users

Introduction: Technology has become integral to day-to-day life in the digital era, particularly social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram. They are now the most common way to connect billions of people worldwide. Social media has transformed how people communicate, share information, build communities, and foster global connections at our fingertips. (Bengtsson & Johansson, 2022). However, the widespread use of social media has also raised concerns regarding privacy, misinformation and fake news, online addiction, bullying and harassment, digital peer pressure, and mental health impacts (Dhiman, 2023). One of the rising concerns is the dilemma between digital peer pressure and digital privacy, where individuals struggle to balance social acceptance with protecting personal information (McClain, 2023). To address this issue, the current study examines the influence of digital peer pressure on the understanding and practices of digital privacy among social media users. It provides an understanding of the behaviors and attitudes of social media users.

Method: A systematic survey questionnaire was developed to examine the understanding of digital peer pressure and digital privacy among social media users. The survey was created using Google Forms, an online data collection tool. The survey link was shared across various online and social media communities to reach a diverse participant pool. Data was collected from Individuals willing to participate in the survey voluntarily and directed to the survey link. The participants in the study were mostly between 18 and 44 years old, with the majority of them having an education level of at least a master's degree. The collected data was then analyzed using tools like MS Excel and Python.

Results: The study findings reveal the influence of digital peer pressure on users' understanding of digital privacy practices. All users in the study prioritized social acceptance over privacy, with each having at least one social media platform. Many participants indicated that they agreed to the privacy policy without reading it and often shared personal information despite privacy concerns. Additionally, the study observed that many participants were aware of digital privacy, contributing to a somewhat improved social environment.

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education on digital privacy to help users manage the challenges of digital peer pressure. Addressing this issue is needed for creating a safe digital environment for all users.