Social Media - 'Jargon-Busted'

A set of jargon-busting guides that teach children about their rights on social media sites has been published.

Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield said Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and YouTube had "not done enough" to clarify their policies. She simplified the websites' terms and conditions with privacy law firm Schillings.

But Instagram said the simplified version of its terms contained "a number of inaccuracies".

The slimmed-down guides are a response to the Commissioner's Growing Up Digital report, which found that most children do not understand the agreements they sign when they create social media accounts.

All the sites require children to be over 13 to create an account.

"Children have absolutely no idea that they are giving away the right to privacy or the ownership of their data or the material they post online," said Ms. Longfield.

She is urging the UK government to adopt the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, which requires all companies offering digital services used by children in the EU to simplify their terms and conditions by May 2018.

She said "much more needs to be done" by all of the social media giants to "make them more accountable and transparent".

'Inaccuracies'

However, Instagram said there were inaccuracies in the simplified version of its policies.

In a statement, it said: "It is wrong to suggest we share young people's personal information, contact details or content of direct messages with advertisers without their permission. Nor do we share details of who people are messaging with."

The commissioner had criticised Instagram for its 17-page, 5,000-word terms and conditions.

But Robert Lands, from law firm Howard Kennedy, said shortening terms and conditions can often create confusion rather than clarity.

"There are a number of reasons that terms and conditions are quite long," he told the BBC.

"It's not to confuse people, it's the opposite. When you need to explain difficult concepts, sometimes it takes words to do it."

A Facebook spokeswoman said the company wanted everyone to feel "safe and secure" when using the platform.

"Our resources, such as our parents portal, privacy basics tool and safety centre, are easy to understand and used every day by young people and parents looking for clear and simple advice," she said.

Snapchat said its terms and conditions and privacy policy were "as clear and free from unnecessary legalese as possible".

Katie O'Donovan, public policy manager at YouTube, said the company "is always looking for ways to improve" and will continue working with the commissioner to refine its resources. WhatsApp could not be reached for comment.

BBC

You Might Also Read: 

Are Children 'Bingeing' on Social Media?:

« Businesses Get Better At Detecting Insider Threats
Cyber Criminals Threaten DDoS Attacks »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

This year, Infosecurity Europe marks 30 years of bringing the global cybersecurity community together to further our joint mission of Building a Safer Cyber World.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Wipro

Wipro

Wipro Limited is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company.

Savanti Consulting

Savanti Consulting

Savanti provides practitioner-led cyber security services tailored to meet each organisation’s unique requirements.

Qrator Labs

Qrator Labs

Qrator Labs is a leader in DDoS attack mitigation, helping organizations protect their websites from the most harmful, sophisticated DDoS attacks.

Protected Media

Protected Media

Protected Media’s advanced cybersecurity ad fraud solution guards you against current and emerging threats across Connected TV, Display and Video advertising.

Single Point of Contact

Single Point of Contact

Single Point of Contact is a Managed IT Services provider that helps businesses to achieve a seamless and secure IT environment.

Esprinet

Esprinet

The Esprinet Group is an enabler of the technology ecosystem: a team of people who promote access to technology through an extensive network of professional resellers.

Emerge Digital

Emerge Digital

Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider providing solutions to SMEs.

X-Analytics

X-Analytics

X-Analytics is a cyber risk analytics application to create a better way for organizations to understand and manage cyber risk.

LOCH Technologies

LOCH Technologies

LOCH Wireless Machine Vision platform delivers next generation cybersecurity, performance monitoring, and cost management for all 5G and for broad-spectrum IoT, IoMT and OT wireless environments.

Secure Halo

Secure Halo

Secure Halo has been protecting the intellectual assets and sensitive information of the federal government and private sector for 20+ years, through our proactive approach to risk and cybersecurity.

Velstadt Cybersecurity

Velstadt Cybersecurity

Velstadt's team of experienced professionals works on identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing threats, and developing strategies to ensure the highest level of security.

DOT Europe

DOT Europe

DOT Europe is a consensus based organisation which brings a diverse membership together to agree on their collective stance on EU tech policy.

DataTrails

DataTrails

DataTrails enables organizations to prove and verify the provenance and authenticity of any data they use in their business operations.

Creative Network Innovations (CNI)

Creative Network Innovations (CNI)

Creative Network Innovations is a leader in providing advanced IT and cybersecurity solutions.

CertX

CertX

CertX is a Swiss functional safety, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence certification body.

TrueDeploy

TrueDeploy

Making Software Security EASY. The Security Status of Your Software in One Place. All you have to do is Deploy.