The Dark Side of Using Online Social Networks: A Review of Individuals' Negative Experiences

Layla Boroon, Babak Abedin, Eila Erfani

Source Title: Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM)29(6)

ISSN: 1062-7375|EISSN: 1533-7995|EISBN13: 9781799872627|DOI: 10.4018/JGIM.20211101.oa34

MLA

Boroon, Layla, et al. "The Dark Side of Using Online Social Networks: A Review of Individuals' Negative Experiences." JGIM vol.29, no.6 2021: pp.1-21. http://doi.org/10.4018/JGIM.20211101.oa34

APA

Boroon, L., Abedin, B., & Erfani, E. (2021). The Dark Side of Using Online Social Networks: A Review of Individuals' Negative Experiences. Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM), 29(6), 1-21. http://doi.org/10.4018/JGIM.20211101.oa34

Chicago

Boroon, Layla, Babak Abedin, and Eila Erfani. "The Dark Side of Using Online Social Networks: A Review of Individuals' Negative Experiences," Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM) 29, no.6: 1-21. http://doi.org/10.4018/JGIM.20211101.oa34

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Abstract

Research on online social networks (OSNs) has focused overwhelmingly on their benefits and potential, with their negative effects overlooked. This study builds on the limited existing work on the so-called ‘dark side’ of using OSNs. The authors conducted a systematic review of selected databases and identified 46 negative effects of using OSNs from the users’ perspective, which is a rich spectrum of users’ negative experiences. This article then proposed nomenclature and taxonomy for the dark side of using OSNs by grouping these negative effects into six themes: cost of social exchange, cyberbullying, low performance, annoying content, privacy concerns and security threats. This study then conducted structured interviews with experts to confirm the sense-making and validity of the proposed taxonomy. This study discusses the confirmed taxonomy and outlines directions for future research.