| On social network sites, interpersonal communication tends to occur in front of large audiences. While users may intend to share information with specific people, other members of their network often have access to this information as well. Researchers have described this sort of "masspersonal communication," but have yet to examine its broader implications. This research project inquires into (1) the uses and gratifications associated with the Facebook Wall---an example of a masspersonal communication tool---, (2) Facebook users' definitions and conceptualizations of privacy in the context of masspersonal communication, and (3) the effects of reality television consumption on the ways in which individuals use the Facebook Wall.;The findings suggest that individuals associate unique uses and gratifications with the Wall---namely noncommittal interpersonal communication and stalking--- alongside more traditional items. Next, this study proposes a path model of privacy that describes a user's sense of privacy as (1) a result of experience with Facebook and trust in Facebook friends, and (2) as a predictor of disclosure and a predictor of the use of privacy settings. Lastly, this study finds that consumption of reality television predicts how likely an individual is to be a Facebook stalker.;These findings give some guidance to future research in the areas of uses and gratifications, online privacy and media effects and come with some substantial cultural, social and legal implications. |
