EVOLVING PRIVACY CONCERNS: SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE AND AWARENESS AMONG FIRST-YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS

This study investigated the evolving privacy concerns of first-year college students related to their social media use. As social media continues to dominate communication and entertainment, understanding users' privacy awareness is essential. The research examined students' awareness of privacy risks, identified the platforms with the greatest exposure, and explored cybersecurity challenges resulting from their online behaviors. While prior studies have emphasized young adults' comfort with sharing personal information online, this is a rapidly changing field with the rise and possible fall of platforms such as TikTok happening rapidly. Understanding the popularity of each platform they use most and the specific vulnerabilities they face. This study surveyed first-year students at a private university in the Southeastern United States, analyzing their online behaviors to better understand privacy risks and inform strategies to improve cybersecurity awareness and practices.