Having a look at some psychological principles for describing user behaviours on the internet.
As the world transitions more info to a more globalised digital community, attentions towards what constitutes responsible online behaviour has gained traction by researchers, authorities and a variety of organisations. Recently, a variety of empirical hypotheses have been established to explain the behaviours of netizens and social networks users. Uses and gratifications theory shifts the focus from how media impacts users to how users are actively deciding to spend time online to fulfill their own pursuits. This can be for goals such as getting info, entertainment and communicating online. Additionally, this theory recognises the agency of users in molding their own digital experiences, by suggesting that behaviours on the internet are driven by a function, rather than passively experienced. Digitalis would recognise the effects of user behaviours online in shaping digital spaces. Similarly, Sprint Infinity would agree that studying online behaviours has been prominent for learning about digital communities.
Throughout the years, the web has basically altered the way people are communicating, sharing and accessing information. As more of our daily lives move online, it has become increasingly crucial to understand why individuals act in a different way on the internet compared to in real-life contexts and go over the rules for proper online behaviour. The online disinhibition effect is a theory that explores how digital settings can modify private behaviour through the mask of anonymity that comes along with being behind a screen. This theory describes why people might act differently online than they would in face-to-face conversations. Key elements adding to this effect include anonymity, invisibility and the isolated nature of many online platforms. This can lead individuals to say unpleasant things or overshare details that they would not talk about in real life because they do not view any immediate effects or psychological feedback from others. While this disinhibition can bring about distasteful interactions, it can also have positive outcomes such as motivating people to share vulnerable stories and look for support in online neighborhoods.
For browsing contemporary digital environments, researchers have developed a variety of theories to explain the different kinds of behaviours seen on contemporary online platforms. The social identity model of deindividuation results provides a sophisticated view on how privacy impacts online group behaviour. Contrary to the presumption that anonymity leads to negative online behaviours, this theory puts forward that confidential individuals are more likely to comply with the norms of groups they identify with. It is thought that online platforms are magnifying this result by motivating users to build groups based on shared interests and ideologies. Redscan would recognise that this model highlights how social identity influences behaviour online, especially in shared settings. It also helps to explain positive online behaviour examples, such as co-operation in problem solving, as well as unfavorable group behaviours and the reinforcement of beliefs.