Anti‐Fraud Communication's Impact on Chinese Youths' Coping Behaviours and Risk Perception Regarding Telecommunications Fraud

ABSTRACT Telecommunications fraud poses a significant and growing risk to Chinese youths. Guided by the social amplification of risk framework (SARF) and the extended parallel process model (EPPM), this study investigates how anti‐fraud communication shapes behavioural responses. Through a survey of Chinese youths, we found that anti‐fraud information successfully raised their awareness of both the threat and efficacy. However, these two perceptions lead to different coping behaviours. The findings revealed a complex interaction between the perceived threat and the perceived efficacy on behavioural intention. Specifically, perceived threat significantly increased negative fear‐control behaviours; however, this tendency was attenuated by perceived efficacy. Conversely, perceived efficacy was a driver of positive danger‐control behaviours; however, this effect was diminished by perceived threat. These results extend the application of the SARF and EPPM to modern risk events such as telecommunications fraud. They also suggest that successful anti‐fraud campaigns should focus on empowering youths with confidence and methods to protect themselves, thereby effectively stimulating actual protective behaviours.