Display and control in online social spaces: Towards a typology of users

an article by Alexandre Fortier (McGill University, Canada) and Jacquelyn Burkell (The University of Western Ontario, Canada) published in New Media & Society Volume 20 Issue 3 (2018)

Abstract

Earlier research using qualitative techniques suggests that the default conception of online social networks is as public spaces with little or no expectation of control over content or distribution of profile information. Some research, however, suggests that users within these spaces have different perspectives on information control and distribution.

This study uses Q methodology to investigate subjective perspectives with respect to privacy of, and control over, Facebook profiles.

The results suggest three different types of social media users:

• those who view profiles as spaces for controlled social display, exerting control over content or audience;
• those who treat their profiles as spaces for open social display, exercising little control over either content or audience; and
• those who view profiles as places to post personal information to a controlled audience.

We argue that these different perspectives lead to different privacy needs and expectations.

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