Sharing for Better or Worse: How Social Media and Online Information Sharing Influence Individual Well-Being

Abstract

Social media has significantly influenced how individuals share information, impacting their behavior and well-being. This study examines the impact of determinants of information sharing on social media platforms—Attitude, Intention to Share, Frequency of Sharing, Privacy Risk, and Perceived Control on the well-being of individuals. Data was collected from 116 respondents in the Punjab region using convenience sampling via Google Forms. The study employed Cronbach’s Alpha to assess reliability, while correlation and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS to examine relationships between variables. Results indicate that Perceived Control over shared information is the strongest predictor of well-being, whereas other factors influence sharing behavior but do not directly enhance well-being. The findings highlight the importance of user autonomy and privacy controls in promoting a positive digital experience.