Bystanders’ Perceptions and Reporting Responses in Doxing Cases: The Influence of Online Social Dynamics

Doxing, the act of publicly revealing personal information online, often with the intent to harm, poses a significant threat to privacy on social media. Despite ongoing efforts to mitigate its impact, effective intervention mechanisms remain inadequate. This research-in-progress explores factors influencing bystanders' willingness to intervene in doxing incidents, specifically, to report doxing. Drawing from the Bystander Intervention Model as a theoretical framework, this study also includes complementary theories: Justice Theory and Social Norms Theory to develop a comprehensive model to explore the dynamics of bystander behavior in the context of doxing. Employing a 4x4 between-subject factorial design, the study examines the effects of others' presence and varying levels of information disclosure on bystanders' intent to take action. By investigating the balance between bystanders’ perceived justice and the severity of the doxing incident, the research aims to provide insights that can improve social media content moderation and encourage proactive bystander intervention.