Paper Number
ECIS2026-2374
Paper Type
CRP
Abstract
Smartphones are increasingly used in public spaces, exposing private information to nearby observers. This paper investigates why individuals engage in shoulder surfing, the act of viewing others’ smartphone screens by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with psychological and situational factors. Drawing on data from an online survey (N = 100) analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, the results show that attitude is the strongest predictor of intention, followed by perceived behavioral control. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) indirectly fosters more positive evaluations of behavior, while Social Comparison Orientation (SCO) directly increases intention, suggesting that social cues can override moral reflection. Subjective norms, in contrast, are insignificant, reflecting the covert nature of the behavior. The study highlights how individual cognition and perceived feasibility, rather than social approval, drive digital observation behaviors and offers implications for privacy aware IS design.
Recommended Citation
Mörsdorf, Elisabeth; Korn, Elisa; and Korn, Larissa Sophie, "When Privacy Becomes Invisible: Extending The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Explain Psychological And Situational Determinants Of Shoulder Surfing Intentions" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 28.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/cog_hbis/cog_hbis/28
When Privacy Becomes Invisible: Extending The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Explain Psychological And Situational Determinants Of Shoulder Surfing Intentions
Smartphones are increasingly used in public spaces, exposing private information to nearby observers. This paper investigates why individuals engage in shoulder surfing, the act of viewing others’ smartphone screens by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with psychological and situational factors. Drawing on data from an online survey (N = 100) analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, the results show that attitude is the strongest predictor of intention, followed by perceived behavioral control. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) indirectly fosters more positive evaluations of behavior, while Social Comparison Orientation (SCO) directly increases intention, suggesting that social cues can override moral reflection. Subjective norms, in contrast, are insignificant, reflecting the covert nature of the behavior. The study highlights how individual cognition and perceived feasibility, rather than social approval, drive digital observation behaviors and offers implications for privacy aware IS design.