Social media users click ‘accept’ before reading fine print

Social media users need to be more aware of the rights they sign away by agreeing to terms and conditions without reading them first, according to experts.

A recent update to popular social app Snapchat asked users to grant Snapchat licence to use all content for promotional purposes and take their ideas without compensation.

However, many people Te Waha Nui spoke to had simply clicked ‘accept’ to continue using the site without considering the consequences.

NetSafe training and education specialist, Lee Chisholm, said users of social media site generally do not read terms and conditions.

The non-profit cybersecurity organisation receives many calls from Kiwis with problems that could have been prevented by simply reading a social medias sites terms and conditions, according to Mrs Chisholm.

“[Users] think that because someone [has] taken a photo off their page something can be done about that.

“If they had read the terms and conditions, they would have realised it can’t [be fixed],” explained Mrs Chisholm.

AUT University communications lecturer, Rufus McEwan, said the internet is designed to record, store and share information easily, so when users put private or personal things online they must assume it will be shared with someone else.

“When people try and hide information via these technologies, it is kind of counter-productive to the nature and the design of the technology,” explained Mr McEwan.

He said most times users update their software they will be prompted to go through the terms and conditions again, but people usually don’t.

They also tended not to question the policies until they had “been exposed” themselves, he said.

Mr McEwan said it is part of our natural routine to put a “relative degree” of trust in the organisations, software or technologies we use.

“As an informed consumer of these products and technologies, I don’t think it is part of our natural behaviour or routine to actually process and work through these terms and conditions.”

Mr McEwan said there needs to be a greater awareness of the technology we use and how we use it.

“I think what’s interesting is that we probably don’t reflect on the technology that we are using enough. And we don’t necessarily reflect on why we use it,” said Mr McEwan.

Andreena Alice Eden, 19, admits she has clicked ‘accept’ to the terms and conditions of social sites Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter without reading any of them.

However, Ms Eden believes it is important for users to know what they are agreeing to.

“I think they should be more educated because the younger generation posts their own [life], every little detail goes onto social media,” Ms Eden said.

Shimal Jasmaleen Devi, 19, is a Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter user.

“Terms and conditions didn’t bother me at all . . . I have no idea what any of the terms and conditions are,” Ms Devi said.

Mrs Chisholm said education about the issue needs to start young, and is up to parents to make them aware as soon as they get their own electronic device.