Older Adolescent Perspectives on the Use of Research within Online Communities
Abstract
This study explores the attitudes of older adolescents (aged 16 to 19) regarding researchers collecting personal information from Social Networking Sites (SNSs) through passive observation to support Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) research. The aim of this study is to add to the ongoing discourse in the scientific community, by providing a unique perspective on how researchers can uphold ethical conduct throughout their research process. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach and incorporates a QualtricsXM survey and online focus groups (FGs). The findings reveal that participants have reservations toward passive, hidden observational researchers. Despite their concerns, participants support researchers using their findings to support individuals within pro-NSSI communities, provided that privacy and confidentiality are prioritized and there are no personal or social repercussions resulting from the research. This study provides valuable insights for researchers aiming to uphold ethical standards, emphasizing the need to actively incorporate the perspectives of adolescents in the formulation of clear guidelines for Social Networking (SN) research.