Hi, This project is definitely problematic. I can't imagine an ethics committee authorizing minors to violate ToS, even with the written consent of their parents. A solution could be building your own social network in a "lab environment" with some open source software like https://www.opensource-socialnetwork.org/community or https://www.boonex.com/features . The software is free, available on almost any cpanel hosting, you can program your own simulations and you can even write the ToS. Yohanan Ouaknine PhD candidate @ Bar Ilan University, Israel -----Original Message----- From: Air-L [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Charles M. Ess Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 4:44 PM To: air-l <air-l@listserv.aoir.org> Subject: [Air-L] research ethics again - students and FB Dear AoIRists, What are your thoughts regarding the following? A research project involves a small number of students, legally minors - and requires that they set up fake FB accounts for the sake of role-playing in an educational context? Of course, fake accounts are a clear violation of the FB ToS. I know we've discussed the ethics of researchers doing this (with mixed results, i.e., some for, some concerned). But I'm curious what folk think / feel about this version of the problem. Many thanks in advance, - charles -- Professor in Media Studies Department of Media and Communication University of Oslo <http://www.hf.uio.no/imk/english/people/aca/charlees/index.html> Postboks 1093 Blindern 0317 Oslo, Norway c.m.ess@media.uio.no _______________________________________________ The Air-L@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/