Informed Consent

You are invited to participate in an academic research study exploring how personalized content on social media and online shopping platforms influences buying behaviour among Generation Z. Your participation is completely voluntary, your responses will remain anonymous and confidential, and the data will be used strictly for academic purposes. The survey will take approximately 6–8 minutes to complete. By proceeding, you confirm that you are between 18–27 years of age and consent to participate.

I have read the above information and voluntarily agree to participate in this study:

yes

1. What is your age?

Under 18

18–22

23–27

28–42

43–54

55 or above

2. What is your gender?

Male

Female

Non-binary / Prefer not to say

3. Do you actively use social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, or X (Twitter)?

Yes

4. Do you regularly shop or browse products on online shopping platforms or apps?

Yes

5. On average, how much time do you spend per day on social media or shopping apps?

Less than 1 hour

1–3 hours

3–5 hours

More than 5 hours

Section B: Perceived Algorithmic Personalisation

Please read before answering:
Think about the content, ads, and product recommendations you see on social media and online shopping platforms (e.g., Instagram, YouTube, Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart). Answer based on your general experience over the past few months.

Response Scale:
1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Neutral 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly Agree
The content and recommendations I see online seem to be designed specifically for me.

The recommendations I receive match my interests and preferences.

The content and recommendations I see are related to my browsing or search history.

The recommendations I receive reflect my needs and interests.

The content and recommendations I receive feel personalized to me.

Section C: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

Please read before answering:

The following statements relate to how you generally feel when using social media and interacting with others online. These questions are not about any one specific platform, event, or situation. Instead, please answer based on how you typically feel in your day-to-day life and online experiences.

Please indicate how true each statement is for you.

Response Scale:

1 = Not at all true of me 2 = Slightly true of me 3 = Moderately true of me 4 = Very true of me 5 = Extremely true of me

Not at all true	Slightly true	Moderately true	Very true	Extremely true
I fear others have more rewarding experiences than me.

I fear my friends have more rewarding experiences than me.

I get worried when I find out my friends are having fun without me.

I get anxious when I do not know what my friends are up to.

It is important that I understand my friends' inside jokes.

Sometimes, I wonder if I spend too much time keeping up with what is going on.

It bothers me when I miss an opportunity to meet up with friends.

When I have a good time, it is important for me to share the details online.

When I miss out on a planned get-together, it bothers me.

When I go on vacation, I continue to keep tabs on what my friends are doing.

Section D: Self-Control

Please read before answering:
The following statements describe general habits, behaviors, and ways of dealing with everyday situations. There are no right or wrong answers. Please respond based on how you typically think, feel, and behave in your daily life.

Please indicate how much each statement reflects you.

Response Scale:
1 = Not at all like me 2 = Slightly like me 3 = Somewhat like me 4 = Mostly like me 5 = Very much like me

not at all like me	slightly like me	somewhat like me	mostly like me	very much like me
I am good at resisting temptation.

I have a hard time breaking bad habits.

I am lazy.

I say inappropriate things.

I do certain things that are bad for me, if they are fun.

I refuse things that are bad for me.

I wish I had more self-discipline.

People would say that I have iron self-discipline.

Pleasure and fun sometimes keep me from getting work done.

I have trouble concentrating.

I am able to work effectively toward long-term goals.

Sometimes I can't stop myself from doing something, even if I know it is wrong.

I often act without thinking through all the alternatives.

10.

Section E: Algorithmic Literacy

Please read before answering:

The following statements are about how algorithms work on social media, search engines, and online shopping platforms. Please answer based on what you currently believe to be true. If you are unsure, choose the answer that seems most accurate to you.

For each statement, indicate whether you think it is TRUE or FALSE. There are no right or wrong answers for participating in this survey, so please answer honestly.

Response Options:

☐ True

☐ False

True	False
The database used by an algorithm is not decisive in determining its quality.

When searching for a job online, job offers displayed may vary from person to person despite the same search entry.

The use of algorithms that deliver personalized content can mean that the content you find is mostly consistent with your pre-existing opinions.

Algorithms are able to think like human beings.

Algorithms are independent of government censorship.

Algorithms present both chances and risks.

For some media companies, content that is repeated regularly, such as traffic reports, is already written by algorithms.

Humans are never involved when algorithms are used.

11.

Section F: Impulsive Buying Behaviour

Please read before answering:
The following statements relate to your online shopping behaviour. Think about your purchases made through online shopping websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms over the past few months. Please answer based on how you typically behave when making online purchase decisions.

Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement.