Online Addiction: A Cultural Comparison of Privacy Risks in Online Gaming Environments

In this paper we investigated the levels of addiction and personal data disclosure within Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game environments (MMORPG's). The study made use of an online survey, a combination of a six point behavioural addiction framework, Self Determination Theory and Impression Management theory to assess addictive behaviour and consequential data disclosure amongst a sample of 188 Singaporean based MMORPG gamers. These find- ings were juxtaposed with results of a previous study which investigated MMORPG addiction and data disclosure amongst 357 European online gamers to facilitate a cultural comparison (8). Results found that pathological gaming addiction had a direct effect on levels of personal and sensitive data disclosure and participants who were disclosing high amounts of data were considered more vulnerable to exploitation and predation. In addition, the Singaporean sample exhibited similar levels of addiction yet marginally lower levels of data disclosure compared to their European counterparts.

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