A Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Privacy in Interpersonal Communication

BA review of extant literature on digital privacy reveals a paucity of attention to the nexus between privacy and interpersonal communication, particularly among university students. This study explores the evolution of students’ interpersonal communication practices on Instagram, employing a phenomenological approach to examine privacy perceptions. The qualitative phenomenological method was selected to analyze individuals’ subjective experiences and actions related to privacy in digital interactions. A notable limitation of the study is its focus on privacyperceptions within Instagram, rather than a broader analysis of digital privacy across social media platforms. The selection of Instagram as a subject of study was driven by its widespread use and emphasis on visual content, which was deemed relevant during the research period. The findings indicate that participants place significant importance on protecting their privacy, and while users tend to observe others on Instagram, they are more reluctant to share personal content. The study also reveals that Instagram blurs the boundaries between public and private spaces. Although participants acknowledge privacy as an individual responsibility, they show less concern for controlling others’ posts, reflecting a one-sided perception of privacy. In conclusion, the impact of social media on privacy needs reconsideration at both the individual and societal levels. The continuous online presence on social media platforms challenges traditional privacy boundaries, leading to new dynamics in personal information sharing. This study underscores the necessity of reevaluating digital privacy in the evolving landscape of social media communication.