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Features

Ana Jabur and Isa Papa

A Simple Click or a Long-Lasting Tie?

5/31/2025

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By: A. Lotufo
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 We’ve all scrolled, researched, and looked through the internet. Whatever you choose to do in the vast, digital world, it is certain that you have agreed to a website’s Terms & Conditions at least once. You probably didn’t think much of it – there’s a long list of things you are agreeing to (which I doubt you’ve fully read, considering most of them have around an 18-minute reading time) and at the bottom you’ve clicked “I agree”. But here’s a question: what are you agreeing to? 

When you accept Terms & Conditions, you are accepting a legally binding contract. Consequently, many cybersecurity professionals would advise reading the whole of the contract before agreeing to it to be fully understanding of the terms you are accepting, and whether that will impact you negatively or not. Despite that, a Deloitte survey consisting of 2,000 US consumers revealed that only 9% of consumers read the Terms & Conditions before consenting to them. And for people aged 18-34, only 3%.   
ProPrivacy.com also executed a test to see whether consumers read the Terms & Conditions or not. For this test, they initiated a survey with 100 participants, and upon entry, they would have to accept Terms & Conditions. Out of the 100 participants, only 19 clicked on the page leading to the terms. Even worse – only 1 person read through it with enough attention to realize it was requesting for the user to allow drones to watch over their homes. In 2017, another test by a company named Purple was executed. 22,000 people, while signing up for public Wi-Fi, had to accept Terms & Conditions. The Terms & Conditions demanded 1000 hours of community service and included a clause which offered a reward for whoever read it. Out of 22,000 people, 1 person claimed it. 
 Your data is being constantly used to benefit companies, websites, and more. But there is only 1 person that controls that data – and that person is you. Unless you actively allow brands, apps, and more to have access to what you are doing online, to your personal information, and more, they cannot do so. To conclude, read the Terms & Conditions; you are signing a binding contract when you click “I Agree”, so it’s important to understand what you are committing to. 
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All about Terms and Conditions

5/30/2025

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By: V. Srur

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I am sure most of you have opened a website and they gave you those huge pop-ups with multiple files to read and agree on a set of “terms and conditions” in order for you to locate what you want. But do you always read them or you have no idea what your consenting to?  

In legal terms, agreeing to a platform’s terms and conditions (T&Cs) means entering a binding agreement. For adults, that might be annoying but manageable. For minors, it’s a different story. According to most legal systems, individuals under 18 cannot enter binding contracts without parental consent, and yet, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube regularly allow teens as young as 13 to create accounts, assuming that by ticking the box, the teen has parental permission or understands the terms.  But is that realistic or fair? 

Many apps have age restrictions 13+, 16+, or even 18+, but. it’s easy for anyone to fake a birthday. That means lots of teens are agreeing to contracts they may not legally or emotionally understand, this can harm minors because they are  unknowingly allowing apps to access their camera, location and can even track your data progress even when they are not even using the app or website. 

Here’s the issue: minors (anyone under 18) are not always able to give “informed consent.” Legally, a contract with a minor is not fully enforceable but online, companies rarely double check. Instead, they assume anyone who clicks “agree” understands the risks.  You can always stay safer online by always asking your parents if you think a site is asking too much, or at least read some lines to understand what you are agreeing to, some websites even may offer “T&Cs in plain English.” Which will help viewers understand complicated legal wording better. In many countries, privacy laws (like the GDPR in Europe or LGPD in Brazil) protect minors to help you always stay protected.       

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The Evolution of Terms and Conditions

5/30/2025

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By: M. Gilchrist

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Since humans have existed, we have always set a basis of rules and norms between each other for our survival. This could be applied to over 2 million years ago when humans only chance at survival was to hunt as a people, if we were to hunt or try to survive by ourselves, we would die almost instantly. The only way for us to pursue huge animals in the Ice age was through to our ability of teamwork, for this to work we would also need certain standards.

As humans evolved and human population began to grow, we created communities which, despite being relatively small compared to today, had to create ‘contracts’ so that these societies could thrive. When the agricultural revolution began around 10,000 BCE, people needed to be set specific jobs, some would work on crops while others would raise livestock. In this case terms & conditions would lead people work in exchange for food and protection.

Terms and conditions were crucial for humans to move beyond the nuclear family because if one to cooperate, collaborate and trade with a person with a person with they don’t have an emotional attachment to, in order for there to be trust between the two parties an agreed upon set of rules. Without these rules it would be impossible to organize a group of more than 5 or 10 people and build the societies we have today.

Throughout time terms & conditions have expanded and been agreed upon by larger scales of groups. The Greek city states expanded into the nations states of the Middle Ages and intern to the global empires of the early 20th century. After the Second World War a global set of terms and conditions were agreed upon: the universal declaration of human rights, the world trade organization and the international courts of justice.

All in all, terms and conditions are the basis of society since Homo sapiens took control of the earth, and without anarchy presides.

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How Did We Stop Caring About Terms and Conditions?

5/30/2025

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By: L. Roschel
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Now, most users blindly hit “Accept” without glancing at the walls of text, thousands of words and paragraphs filled with complex legal jargon, followed by restrictions, permissions, and conditions. The simplicity of scrolling down until the desired button became more evident and common, society got used to ignoring all those clauses that grant excessive data collection privileges or waive consumer rights. However, how the habit of ignorance reached us is a mystery. 
Science-fiction movies warned us of dystopian futures where unchecked technology indeed enslaved humanity, like The Terminator, The Matrix, and Blade Runner painted pictures of worlds where humans lost control of their digital creations, resulting in unimaginable universes, with several dangers running free. A while ago, people worried about privacy, security, and the consequences of agreeing to a company’s fine print without reading it. 
 Nevertheless, look around, how many people distribute photos of their faces, hence AI can create a professional profile, expose their personal information, or even guarantee access to the camera, microphones and cell phone gallery for an app or site that they just installed. Saying it like that, I bet it sounds serious, but honestly, how many times have you done this without realising the consequences? 
A 2018 Deloitte survey found that 91% of consumers never read the terms before accepting, just because we created an illusion of trust. For example, before you go to bed, you probably put your phone on charge because you know that if it's dead the next day, tomorrow is over. We ask Google to save our passwords, and we use the same password for millions of other accounts, and we still get furious if we've been hacked.

When we are children, we ask why for everything, we even cry if we hear someone say that the world will end in billions of years, because we had no perception of things, and this is normal, since we acquire this over time. We get used to seeing people say that it is not necessary to read the Terms and Conditions, many of us see our parents just agree to the clauses and move on, and we learn that this is the standard. With technology increasingly present in our daily lives, realising its benefits and how it makes our lives easier, that past fear has become a distant fiction, reducing the concern.
But because this presence is growing so fast, we must become more aware of our actions on the internet, what we do, what we allow and what we access. In an age where technology moves faster than regulation, I will leave you with a question to reflect on a little: if the Terms and Conditions were truly so useless to be ignored and left aside, why would several professionals have spent hours and days planning and creating them? 
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The Unspoken Terms and Conditions of Friendship

5/30/2025

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By: I. Krakowiak

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​Friendship is one of the most valuable parts of life, but no one hands you a guidebook on how to be a good friend—or what to expect in return. Unlike apps or websites that require you to click “I agree” before continuing, the terms and conditions of friendship are unspoken, often learned through trial, error, and time.

When you’re young, making friends can be as simple as sharing a toy or sitting next to someone in class. There's no pressure, no expectations. Friendships are built on fun, laughter, and spending time together without needing to define what it all means. But as you grow older, friendships begin to carry more weight.

Loyalty, trust, and communication become key. You're expected to be there when it matters, to listen, to care, and sometimes to sacrifice. At the same time, you start to notice when friendships become one-sided or unhealthy. Not every friendship lasts forever, and that can be one of the hardest conditions to accept.

There are moments of misunderstanding, distance, or even hurt feelings—but part of the deal is learning how to navigate those situations. You begin to realize that a strong friendship isn’t about agreeing all the time, but about being honest, supportive, and forgiving.

The beauty of friendship is that it evolves. Some friends drift away, while others grow closer, becoming chosen family. The terms may not be written down, but they’re there—in loyalty during tough times, in silence that still feels comfortable, and in the joy of being accepted for who you are.

​And maybe the biggest condition of all is this: friendship, like life, isn’t perfect—but when it’s real, it’s worth every unspoken term.

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Growing Up With No Manual

5/30/2025

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By: M. Bitran

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​Growing up is something no one truly prepares you for. When you are young your dream to become an adult happens slowly, then, all of a sudden. As a child, the world feels simple - days are filled with playing, imagination, and a sense that everything will somehow be okay. Your biggest concerns might be sharing toys or having to go to bed early. But as you grow older, these terms begin to change.

Responsibilities start to pile up. There are expectations from school, family, and even yourself. Suddenly, your time isn’t fully your own anymore. You’re told to think about the future - careers, college, goals, as if you already have the answers. But most of the time, you’re still just figuring it out.

It can feel overwhelming trying to balance everything, as if you’re always racing the clock trying to hand in the perfect essay, or assignment on time. Some days are frustrating, and the its hard to deal with the pressure, but still, you must keep going.

Yet, with all these changes, there are things you gain. You get to experience freedom, and choose whatever path you want to follow. Independence is also very important. You learn how to deal with these obstacles many times by yourself, and as you grow older, these challenged are what make you stronger.

The terms and conditions of life don’t come printed out. You figure them out through experience. And maybe, part of growing up is learning to live life without a manual. 

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Should We Read Terms and Conditions?

5/13/2025

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By: N. Jannuzzi
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Every time we download an app, buy something online or even sign up for a website we are all asked to one thing: Agree to the Terms and Conditions. However, most of us don’t hesitate and continue to scroll through those endless paragraphs and click on “Accept” and continue doing whatever we are doing. Nevertheless, have you ever stopped to wonder “What exactly am I agreeing to?” 
So why don’t we read them? 
 Let’s be honest, many of us do think they are quite boring, as they are rather long, confusing and full of complex legal terms. We also quite often make the mistake of trusting these companies, but maybe by reading this article you might change your mind. 
You may not believe it, however some companies have tried to sneak ridiculous clauses into their own Terms and Conditions! Some examples include Amazon’s Zombie Apocalypse rule. Amazon once had a rule in their game software terms and conditions, stating that all rules would be lifted if a zombies took over the world. It was meant to be a joke, however it quickly raised concerns about legal documents and its relevance to people. Another example was made by a store called Gamestation, and in one of their legal documents, they stated a rule that was that anyone buying agreed to give their immortal souls, it was supposed to be an April Fool’s Joke. Yet, many felt threatened. Finally, many companies have recently tried to add in their terms difficult cancellation polices, which tend to aim in an older public who might have some difficulties with that.  However not all companies used these Terms for bad: a company once wrote in their terms that anyone that was using their Wi-Fi, would have to perform a good deed, such as giving someone a compliment etc., and many did! A company also offered free money to whoever read their terms.  

Companies have been known to hide those ridiculous, sneaky and unfair clauses to their legal terms. Some might do them as a joke like you can see in the examples stated above. However, even though it might be boring and sending a message of no harm, it’s always good to read those Terms & Conditions and keep an eye out to avoid real consequences and serious issues. 
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Why Naps should be Socially Acceptable for Adults

4/24/2025

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By: I. Krakowiak

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Why is it that naps are totally acceptable for kids, but once you hit adulthood, suddenly a midday snooze is "lazy"? Let’s be real: naps are elite, and they deserve way more respect. In fact, a short nap can be the secret weapon to productivity, creativity, and just being a functional human being.

Studies show that even a 20-minute nap can improve mood, memory, and alertness. But despite the science, there’s still this weird stigma. You're either "not working hard enough" or "wasting time." Meanwhile, overworking is what is expected of you and feeling absolutely drained all the time is becoming normalized. Truth is, our bodies aren't meant to be active 24/7. Naps are a natural energy reset. Instead of fighting through the post-lunch slump or zoning out in front of a screen, why not just take 20 minutes to reboot your brain?

And let’s not act like naps aren’t the coziest thing ever. Curled up under a blanket with the afternoon sun peeking through the window? Bliss. In a perfect world, every workplace would have a nap room, and nobody would judge the person who dips out for a power snooze. Napping isn't lazy — it's self-care, and honestly, it should be celebrated and embraced in adult life, because everyone needs a rest break throughout the day!

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eBook vs Print Books

4/23/2025

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By: S. Gebara

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As the world evolves and technology advances, the nostalgic smell of a brand-new book becomes just that—a memory. The comforting feeling of flipping through physical pages, watching your progress unfold, or holding a book that’s been weathered by time is becoming less common. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
 
In fact, it’s a sign of progress.
 
While printed books will always have their charm, eBooks offer something arguably more powerful: accessibility, convenience, and sustainability. In a society where we carry the world in our pockets, why shouldn’t our entire library fit there too?
 
Whether you’re on a train, waiting at the doctor’s office, or lying in bed at 2 a.m., your favorite stories or textbooks are just one tap away. There’s no need to carry around heavy books or make a trip to the library—just download and read.
 
Let’s be honest—lugging around three or four textbooks is no small feat. With eBooks, you can carry thousands of pages without breaking your back. The practicality is unmatched.
 
Personally, I’ve found eBooks incredibly handy when I’m bored. It’s almost effortless: I just unlock my phone and there it is—a book waiting for me. No need to remember to pack it. No worrying about bookmarks. And on the plus side, I’ve been able to hit my reading goals much faster.
 
Beyond convenience, eBooks are eco-friendly. Each digital download means one less tree cut down, less ink used, and fewer carbon emissions from shipping. And if you’re like me and your bookshelf is overflowing, eBooks are a guilt-free way to keep reading—without adding to the clutter.
 
Of course, the love for physical books is timeless—and rightly so. But in an age where time is short and the world moves fast, eBooks aren’t just a substitute—they’re an evolution. Just as vinyl and Spotify can co-exist, so can paperbacks and pixels.
 
One doesn’t cancel out the other, it enhances the reading world for all.

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Why #BookTok is Overrated

4/23/2025

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By: A. Lotufo

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If you’ve heard of the popular names Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Holly Jackson, and Lynn Painter (and maybe even read some of their books) – you are probably on BookTok. Of course, these authors have proven their excellence by being awarded various prizes; but they’ve also trended on TikTok immensely. The hashtag #BookTok, with almost 53 million videos under it, has been known for motivating people of all ages (especially teenagers) to finally pick up a book and get into reading. Parents and teachers should be happy… shouldn't they?

However, the disadvantages of BookTok are clear – and it sometimes might even be dangerous. Many children (despite the company’s guidelines) tend to have access to TikTok. With BookTok being one of the most dominating topics on the app, children are sometimes exposed to books which are targetted to much older audiences. This is partially due to the YA (young adult) genre. These books are mainly for people which are 12-20 years old, which presents a large issue. At 20 years old, not only are you an adult, but you also have a lot more maturity to be able to read books which elaborate on major, triggering topics (such as domestic violence).

There have also been various complaints about the fact that not all books have age-ratings, making it extremely difficult for parents to monitor the reading material of their children. Moreover, many books are being criticized for their lack of trigger warnings. Many books which are constantly trending (which have no age-rating) have topics which could trigger not only a young community, but many adults. Now if there is no age-rating for these books, nor trigger warnings, children on BookTok and parents might not be aware of the emotional and intense themes present. 
 
So, is BookTok overrated? There still is the need to address many of its problems – but the TikTok platform has also drastically increased the amount of teen readers; that is extremely beneficial and positive for stress-reduction and concentration. Moving forward, the normalization of age-ratings, trigger warnings, and more specific sections (instead of the broad range of ages that YA genres include) can help create a more specific target audience for each book to allow people to still enjoy their favourite #BookTok books. 

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