Mechanistic grounded analysis of minors’ digital blind conformity behavior in the digital intelligence era

Purpose Minors are the natives in the digital intelligence era, and exploring the issue of minors’ digital blind conformity behavior in the context of digital intelligence era is becoming more and more prominent, which helps to create a network environment conducive to the physical and mental health of minors, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of minors. Design/methodology/approach Based on the grounded theory, the primary data obtained from semi-structured interviews conducted on minors in China and literature collection were analysed in depth. After the stages of open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and theoretical saturation test, the theoretical model of the occurrence of minors’ digital blind conformity in the context of the digital intelligence era was constructed, and the mechanism was elucidated. Findings It is clarified that cocoon phenomenon, coterie homogeneity, and absent ties with strong interaction are the basic manifestations of minors’ digital blind conformity behavior in the digital intelligence era; eight factors, such as inadequate self-competence, self-preference, group pressure, and gaining acceptance, constitute the antecedents of minor’ digital blind conformity behavior, which together affect the emergence and development of minors’ digital blind conformity; and the subsequent consequences of minors’ digital blind conformity behavior are mainly manifested in two aspects of Internet addition and irrational consumption. Originality/value This study further explores the ways of minors’ digital blind conformity behavior in the context of digital intelligence era, and proposes regulatory strategies from clarifying algorithmic accountability, transforming management philosophy, breaking down coterie barriers, regulating “Key Opinion Leader”.