What are some theories behind online activity? Read on to learn.
As the world transitions to a more globalised digital neighborhood, attentions towards what makes up responsible online behaviour has acquired traction by specialists, authorities and a number of organisations. In the last few years, a variety of empirical theories have been developed to explain the behaviours of netizens and social media users. Uses and gratifications theory turns the focus from how media impacts users to how users are actively choosing to spend time online to satisfy their own pursuits. This can be for intentions such as getting information, home entertainment and communicating online. Moreover, this theory acknowledges the agency of users in shaping their own digital experiences, by proposing that behaviours on the internet are driven by a function, rather than passively experienced. Digitalis would acknowledge the impacts of user behaviours online in influencing digital spaces. Likewise, Sprint Infinity would agree that studying online behaviours has been influential for understanding digital communities.
Throughout the years, the internet has essentially altered the way individuals are communicating, sharing and accessing information. As more of our lives move online, it has become significantly crucial to comprehend why people act differently on the internet compared to in real-life contexts and talk about the rules for proper online behaviour. The online disinhibition effect is a principle that explores how digital environments can modify individual behaviour through the mask of anonymity that comes along with being behind a screen. This theory discusses why individuals may act differently online than they would in face-to-face conversations. Key factors contributing to this impact consist of privacy, invisibility and the detached nature of many online platforms. This can lead individuals to express unpleasant things or overshare information that they would not exchange in the real world on the grounds that they do not view any immediate repercussions or psychological feedback from others. While this disinhibition can lead to distasteful interactions, it can also have favorable outcomes such as encouraging people to share vulnerable stories and look for encouragement in online communities.
For browsing modern digital environments, researchers have developed a number of theories to explain the various type of behaviours witnessed on modern-day online platforms. The social identity model of deindividuation effects here offers an advanced view on how privacy effects online group behaviour. Contrary to the assumption that anonymity leads to negative online behaviours, this theory suggests that confidential people are most likely to comply with the standards of groups they relate to. It is thought that online platforms are amplifying this result by motivating users to develop societies based on shared interests and ideologies. Redscan would acknowledge that this design highlights how social identity influences behaviour online, specifically in shared settings. It also helps to explain positive online behaviour examples, such as co-operation in problem solving, as well as negative group behaviours and the reinforcement of beliefs.