This study examines the interplay between Internet of Things (IoT) security awareness, social cognitive factors, and social sharing behaviors. The study applies social cognitive theory (SCT) to examine the cognitive determinants of online security behavior in the context of IoT. Using a survey-based approach, data were collected from 393 social media users. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between IoT security awareness, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, behavioral ability, and social sharing behavior. The results show that IoT security awareness does not have a significant impact on content-sharing behavior. Meanwhile, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and behavioral ability had significant positive effects on sharing behavior. These results suggest that individuals with higher self-confidence in their security skills, a stronger belief in the positive outcomes of safe behavior, and greater practical security knowledge are more likely to share safe content on social networks. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of online safety behavior by extending the applicability of SCT to the digital domain. This highlights the importance of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and behavioral skills in shaping online safety behavior. This study, therefore, highlights the need for tailored educational and technological interventions to promote safe online practices. However, limitations such as the cross-sectional design and regional focus suggest opportunities for future research, including longitudinal studies and the examination of additional variables that influence digital behavior in the evolving IoT and social networking landscape.