Computer-mediated communication and risk-taking behaviour

In an unregulated environment Internet use is not without risk, and video has been proposed to influence riskiness and trust behaviour. This experiment explored the differences in willingness to take risks on events portrayed over the Internet via a videolink, relative to events occurring in close proximity (collocated). Thirty-four participants played a roulette game on a computer, wagering points upon the outcomes of spins of a real roulette wheel. The amounts, types of bets and the time to place them were analysed. It was found that confidence (points wagered) did not change, but people went for lower risk (when more was at stake), or thought more about the risks they took (when more was at stake) over a videolink. People accepted greater risk on outcomes occurring in close proximity, than those events portrayed over a videolink. Variations in perceived risk in response to online versus offline events probably reflect differences in the potential to influence outcomes.

► We considered whether videolinks influence perceived risk.
► A simulated gambling task was used to examine risk.
► People accepted greater risk when collocated.
► Videolinks potentiated perceived risk.