Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Adolescents’ Acceptance of Online Friendship Requests Sent by Online Strangers

• In Event: Adolescents and Media: Working Toward Adulthood

Abstract

Drawing on a survey conducted among 1743 pupils in 16 (REMOVED FOR PEER REVIEW) secondary schools, this study applies an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to adolescents’ acceptance of friendship requests sent by online strangers on social network sites (SNSs). As demonstrated in the literature, random friending on social network sites can heavily impact adolescents’ safety online. Results yielded by means of Structural Equation Modelling show that the subjective norm with regard to the acceptance of strangers as SNS friends is the most important predictor, followed by PBC and attitude. Bonding social capital (an individual's disposal of strong, intimate ties) is negatively associated with attitude and subjective norm, whereas bridging social capital (an individual’s disposal of weak, superficial ties) is positively associated with the three TPB antecedents. Life satisfaction is negatively associated with attitude. This study also finds that introverted adolescents anticipate greater positive social pressure to accept friendship requests from strangers than extraverts.

Authors

• Wannes Heirman, U of Antwerp - Department of Communication Studies

• Anne Vermeulen, University of Antwerp

• Kris Hardies, University of Antwerp