Publication
Title
Adolescents' advertising literacy and privacy protection strategies in the context of targeted advertising on social networking sites: implications for regulation
Author
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to investigate the development of adolescents' advertising literacy and privacy protection strategies in the context of targeted advertisements on social networking sites (SNSs). Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted among 374 adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age, and 469 young adults (18-25 years) served as a comparative benchmark. Findings Results indicate that advertising literacy increases progressively throughout adolescence, and reaches adult-like levels only by the age of 16. In addition, adolescents have an inadequate awareness of commercial data collection practices. This awareness slowly increases as a function of their age until it reaches an adult level around the age of 20. Finally, findings reveal that adolescents take little action to cope with targeted advertisements by means of privacy protection strategies. Practical implications This paper devotes much attention to the formulation of specific recommendations for EU policymakers and regulatory bodies. In addition, it also holds implications for advertisers (e.g. the need for more in-depth data protection impact assessments), social media providers (e.g. adolescent-friendly privacy policy) and social caretakers (e.g. achieving advertising literacy and privacy education). Originality/value This paper fulfills the need to investigate adolescents' advertising literacy and privacy-protective behaviors on SNSs, and, in turn, directly translates these insights into recommendations that can underpin the rationale of regulatory or policy decisions on a European level.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Young consumers. - Henley-on-Thames, 2004, currens
Publication
Henley-on-Thames : World Advertising Research Cente , 2020
ISSN
1747-3616 [print]
1758-7212 [online]
DOI
10.1108/YC-04-2020-1122
Volume/pages
21 :3 (2020) , p. 351-367
ISI
000562556100001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
VABB-SHW
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.09.2020
Last edited 25.08.2024
To cite this reference