Friends Forever: Clarity in Online Consent in Social Networking for People With Learning Disabilities

The use of online social networking services has a valuable place for people with learning disabilities. They have been shown to provide a useful bridge for those who would normally find face-to-face social interaction and relationship building difficult. There are benefits to interacting online including the positive feelings of being connected and supported - both emotionally and socially. For some people with learning disabilities the photos and names listed in social media services help them to keep track of their friends especially when they have trouble with remembering or linking names and faces. The online social networking medium allows these users time to plan their social exchanges. The potential to build these friendships in the online world is a positive and powerful motivator for people to electronically consent (eConsent) to online social networks' privacy policies and terms and conditions. However, when it comes to providing clear and transparent eConsent processes for those with learning difficulties wishing to join social sites, it is debatable as to whether these user's needs are being met by the current "one size fits all" eConsent process in terms of usability, accessibility and the terms of consent. This research in progress paper seeks to explore this question in more depth, review the status quo in online eConsent through social media channels, and to propose an alternative eConsent design approach so that the services offered may be better tailored and enhanced to serve the user with a learning disability. By undertaking a critical theoretical approach to this topic, the findings from this research will be of use to designers of social networking services and advocates of users engaging with these services.