The Dark Side of Using Online Social Networks

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.

El uso de las tecnologías en el día a día de la pandemia Covid-19

“…En conclusión, el abanico de factores que conforman el "lado oscuro" de las TIC ya documentado en la literatura previa se confirma en este estudio, pero también se diversifica porque se identifican factores que van más allá de la brecha digital (Pan y Zhang, 2020), las diferencias en las competencias digitales (Lüders y Gjevjon, 2017) y de los problemas de salud mental (Boroon, Abedin y Erfani, 2019;Boroon, 2018). Además, los resultados aquí alcanzados apuntan a que algunas de las propias limitaciones de las TIC son intrínsecas a sus ventajas.…”

“…Ya antes de la crisis sanitaria, mientras el concepto de brecha digital ha evolucionado de los problemas relacionados con la conectividad hacia los derivados de las disparidades en competencias y uso (Lüders y Gjevjon, 2017), la literatura sobre lo que se conoce como el «lado oscuro» de las TIC ha enfatizado diferentes problemas sobre todo relacionados con la salud mental. Boroon, Abedin, y Erfani (2019) y Boroon (2018) indagan en una subcategoría de la adicción a las TIC, las redes sociales, cuyo potencial adictivo reside en su capacidad de llenar el vacío social y sustituir a miembros de la familia y amistades reales. En la taxonomía de efectos negativos que elaboran, los efectos negativos abarcan desde el coste del intercambio social (dolor, irritación, fatiga, y pérdida de tiempo, energía y recursos), hasta los contenidos molestos, los problemas de privacidad, las amenazas a la seguridad, el cyberbullying y el bajo rendimiento (Boroon, Abedin, y Erfani, 2019).…”

Human information behavior during the Covid-19 health crisis. A literature review

“…Further research should also take advantage of the crisis to delve into the dark sides of ICT and social media that already count on a small body of literature (Boroon, 2018;Boroon, Abedin, & Erfani, 2019). Specifically, the literature reviewed here mentions mental health problems as a result of long periods of lockdown and forced use of ICT, and concerns have been expressed about the impact of the almost exclusive use of ICT on creative practices (Kecojevic et al, 2020;Murphy, 2020).…”

“…Specifically, the literature reviewed here mentions mental health problems as a result of long periods of lockdown and forced use of ICT, and concerns have been expressed about the impact of the almost exclusive use of ICT on creative practices (Kecojevic et al, 2020;Murphy, 2020). If the use of social media has a high potential to become addictive because it can fill a social vacuum and can replace real family members and friendships, during the pandemic its intensive use may have worsened the negative consequences of social distancing measures (Boroon et al, 2019). Information systems during the Covid-19 crisis have enabled immediate challenges to be addressed, however, a better knowledge of ICT limitations, and of the consequences of its intense use, could contribute to devise medium-and long-term strategies to promote adaptation and transformation.…”

Guest editorial: The dark side of social media: EMAC-EJM special issue

“…The emergence of social media platforms has also created opportunities for consumers to engage in open dialogue with brands and organizations, allowing marketers to use online communities and their conversations as part of the process of value co-creation (Fuduric, 2016).More recently, there has been a surge in research exploring the dark side of social media. Several authors have commented on the potential or actual detrimental ways in which these platforms affect private, professional, and social life (Boroon et al, 2021;Fox and Moreland, 2015). This theme is the focus of the special issue on "The Dark Side of Social Media," the first result of the collaboration between the European Journal of Marketing and the European Marketing Academy (EMAC).…”