Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 M.Sc. Student, Department of Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
2 Faculty member, Department of Information Science and Knowledge Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.
3 Faculty member, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of Online Privacy Literacy (OPL) of students in Razi University and its relationship with individual characteristics. The present study was an applied and survey method and also the statistical population of this study included 11268 of Razi University students in the academic year 99-98. The sample size was 372 members using Morgan table and stratified random sampling method. Hence, a researcher-made online privacy literacy questionnaire with 4 components (knowledge of online service providers, knowledge of technical aspects, awareness of rules, and awareness of personal control strategies) was used to collect the research data. Then, the reliability of the questionnaire was calculated using Cronbach's alpha (0.873). Moreover, descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the findings. The findings indicated that the level of online literacy of students was seen under the average level. The highest value was belonged to the component of "social skills" and the lowest to the "awareness of data protection laws". Also, educational level and experience of internet use were significantly associated with online privacy, and more educated, and long-term individuals were more likely to use the Internet. However, there was no significant relationship between gender, age, and duration of Internet use and online privacy. Considering the importance of increasing online privacy literacy in order to maintain internet privacy, therefore, necessary training and measures should be considered to promote online privacy.
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