Extent of private information disclosure on online social networks: An exploration of Facebook mobile phone users

• We examine the extent of private information disclosure (PID) by mobile phone users.
• Use of smartphones for social networking reduces likelihood of PID.
• Extensive social networking reduces likelihood of PID.
• Likelihood of PID is less for females compared to males.
• Usability issues increase the likelihood of PID amongst older adults.

The present study adopts the Communication Privacy Management theory and investigates the factors that influence the extent of private information disclosure of Facebook mobile phone users. Using a sample size of 488 adult mobile phone users, the study further investigates the differential impact of age on the extent of private information disclosure. Results from the logistic regressions run reveal that use of smartphones to access social networking sites, use of multiple social networks, and being female decrease the likelihood of private information disclosure. In addition, usability problems increase the likelihood of information disclosure by older adults. The analyses show no association between perceived benefit and private information disclosure.