Teenagers and online harassment : application of a protection motivation model.

• Main Authors: Lee, Dunstan Wei Xien., Li, Benjamin Junting., Lim, Zi Xuan., Tan, Jolene Meifang.
• Other Authors: Oo Lwin,May
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Mass media
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14936
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Online harassment is a widespread phenomenon with consequential implications, especially for teenagers. Integrating the concepts of Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) (Rogers, 1983), privacy concern and adult intervention, this study examines the predictors motivating teenagers’ intention to adopt protection behaviour against online harassment. We surveyed over 700 teenagers aged 12-19 years from a stratified sample of secondary school and junior college students. The four predictors of the PMT model were hypothesised to positively influence their intention to adopt online protection behaviour. We also sought to understand whether adultintervention could be a predictor and the potential mediating role of threat appraisal within the PMT framework. All antecedents, except perceived susceptibility, were found to be significant predictors of behavioural intention in the study. Through conducting multiple regression and Sobel tests (Sobel, 1982), perceived severity was found to have a significant mediating effect. This study suggests a potential model for future research in the area of online harassment. Implications for future campaigns and policymakers are also discussed.