Methodology to assess college student risk taking behavior in social networking sites

More than 51% of the approximately 21 million teens who use the Internet go online at least daily (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2005). Many adolescents take known and unknown risks by offering personal identifying information while communicating on the web. The purpose of this study was to determine college student risk taking behavior in popular social networking sites (e.g. MySpace and Facebook) utilizing a mixed method approach. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to assess risks and the interaction of risks taken by college aged students. Risk behaviors in this study were assessed by random observation of online behaviors of 225 self identified college students and 225 individuals who did not self identify as college students but were between the ages of 18-25. Profiles on social networking sites were reviewed for potentially dangerous postings of personal identifying information. From these reviews, themes and/or categories were determined to classify the level and interaction of risk behaviors. The utilization of this methodology can be transferred to define the level and interaction of risks in a given population or community. Based on results using this methodology, it is apparent that there is a need for education and development of skills and strategies to protect one's identity and safety.