Privacy: Impact of Social Media—A Study on University Students

Donatella Marazziti, Francesca Diolaiuti, Riccardo Gurrieri, Manuel Glauco Carbone, Roberto Di Quirico, Andrea Pozza and Federico Mucci

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2026, vol. 72, issue 3, 679-686

Abstract: The study investigates how social media affects privacy perceptions among university students, combining a historical perspective on privacy with contemporary data on young adults; interactions with digital platforms. An online survey of 219 students (122 women and 97 men) assessed their awareness of social media’s overt and hidden influences on personal decisions and privacy concerns. Statistical analyses included t -tests, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, χ² tests, and correlation measures. Results highlighted significant gender differences. Women were more aware of social media’s influence (54.9% vs. 38.1% of men) and expressed greater privacy concerns (41.8% vs. 36.1%). These findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive educational initiatives to improve privacy awareness and inform policies to safeguard user rights. Further research is recommended to explore broader demographics for a comprehensive understanding of social media’s impact on privacy.

Keywords: privacy; social media; digital privacy; individual perception; university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:72:y:2026:i:3:p:679-686

DOI: 10.1177/00207640251379130

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