Blog 5

Y’all know that “thing” called the terms of use policy that every social media site has, but nobody reads. I know I have almost every single social media platform you can think of, and can (not so proudly) say I have never read a single usage terms policy. Well, I officially read Instagram’s usage policy, and here is what I have to say about it. I want to say it was not nearly as long as we all think it is. If you are like me, you skip reading the terms and usage policy because you’re too lazy to read it. I am here to tell you it is a doable task! Certain parts of the terms have a URL embedded in links that take you to other policies (which could be time-consuming if you clicked on all of those), but the main policy itself is short and broad. You might ask why I am reading it now… Well, I am required to for a class. Now, back to what is important, what the policy contains or doesn’t contain for that matter.  

 
As I stated, the policy is relatively short, meaning it must be missing certain things. I think by staying vague, the Instagram platform protects itself. The usage terms itself touches on a number of different topics such as the data policy and the rights Instagram retains but does not go into great detail on any of the subject matters. By doing this, they are able to interpret the terms the way they would like. In the book, Crime, Justice, and SM, it states, “Social media is host to debate and conflict over what constitutes crime and justice, and this conflict is evident not only between users but also between users and social media companies.”(Salter, 2017) I believe this debate will be forever going, which is why it is so important for social media sites such as Instagram to lay out what they are and are not responsible for when a crime is committed via their platform. The items that the usage terms talk about the most are the things that protect Instagram from liabilities. For example, Instagram specifically states that they are not responsible for the wrongdoings by any of the businesses that use Instagram to promote themselves. This may seem fair except for the fact that Instagram algorithms place these particular businesses on our feed based on our likes and interest, knowing it would grab our attention. 

Them knowing our likes and interests leads me to my next point. After viewing their usage terms, which includes if you use their platform, they are able to collect data on you. Instagram is owned by Facebook, which most people know. All the information collected by Instagram is used to have ads from businesses, selected based on our previously viewed items, to be placed on our feed on both Instagram as well as Facebook. We always ask ourselves why certain ads pop up on our feed after we have searched them, well now you know that it is because you give certain sites such as Instagram the ability to collect this data every time you hit, “I accept these terms of usage.” 

One thing Instagram makes sure to note that they are not responsible for are any crimes committed by individuals or businesses on their platform. This is a part of the usage terms we should be aware of because in the book, Crime, Justice, and SM, it states, “Social media is not just a place where crime and justice are discussed; it’s a place where crime happens, and so does justice-seeking.” (Salter, 2017) If this platform is a place where crimes are committed, such as a nude photo being leaked, we would want to know how that platform is involved. I personally do not feel that it is Instagram’s job to be responsible for the crimes other people commit, but they do indeed do their best by allowing us to report photos. 

One thing that surprised me from the terms of usage was the fact that sex offenders are not allowed to use their site. This term is something that I think most people are unaware of, which raises the question of do sex offenders know that they are not supposed to have an account? Additionally, is there a system in place in which Instagram monitors if a sex offender creates an account? These are all components that are missing from the usage terms policy by Instagram. This is not the only aspect missing from this policy. 

Another missing component is the language options. An issue that I find most concerning is that the only language available to read these terms is in English. People all around the world can use Instagram, so how are they able to understand these policies. Additionally, people in the United States that do not speak English very well may be unable to understand the terms in which they agree to when using the social media platform. I do not find it fair for Instagram to have individuals agreeing to terms they are unable to inform themselves about. 

I noticed that the terms were not easily accessible when on Instagram. In order to find the usage terms, I had to google Instagram usage terms specifically. I did, however, like that it stated if there were ever changes made to the terms that users would be contacted about the changes before they go into effect. It was additionally very vague on how we would be contacted other than through the platform. 

The one thing that social media platforms have over us, the consumers, is that no matter what the terms, we will most likely agree to them. Additionally, I don’t think any social media platform would include terms so harmful to the consumer that we would be deterred from using the platform. After reading Instagram’s usage policy or any policy for that matter is no matter what, it is impossible to include every single circumstance or issue that may arise on a social media platform. No policy is perfect, and no policy is fully encompassing, but it’s our hope as consumers these platforms have our best interest at heart. 


Salter, M. (2017). Crime, Justice, and SM, 2-11. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, N.Y.: Routledge, (Original work published 1980).