Abstract

The proliferation of Web 2.0 technologies and the increasing number of risks that exist online have resulted in more emphasis being placed on creating awareness in users on the use of Web 2.0 technologies and related risks. South-African university students are taught about the risks and related security controls that exist within Web 2.0 technologies. The question arises as to whether they change their online behaviour, in terms of the nature and amount of information they disclose online when using Web 2.0 technologies in light of the fact that they are taught about the risks that exist within Web 2.0 technologies. Against this background, a survey was conducted of South-African university students to determine which online practices they employed when using Web 2.0 technologies. 660 students completed the survey resulting in a response rate of 22.4%. The respondents indicated they accessed Web 2.0 at least once a week and that social networking sites were accessed more frequently. Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they amended and submitted content frequently. The respondents indicated that they were aware of the risks; however, this did not influence their online activities or they implemented safeguards in a haphazard manner. It may appear that educating users on the risks that exist in Web 2.0 technologies is being flogged to death in the popular press, but reality shows that this is taken too lightly.

Key words: Web 2.0, social media, controls, risks, user’s behaviour.