Instagram For Kids Is A Bad Idea, And Facebook Must Abandon Kid-Friendly App Plan

Facebook has been working on launching an Instagram to allow kids under the age of 13 to sign up and post images on its platform. And this idea didn¡¯t sit quite well with individuals online, with many opposing the idea entirely.

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And now , US Attorneys General Coalition -- a group of 44 attorneys -- has urged Facebook to not launch an Instagram for kids. They've made this request in the form of a letter, listing reasons why the company shouldn't proceed with this plan.

One of the reasons listed here is Facebook's poor history of protecting kids's privacy and data on the platform, as well as quoting studies that have shown how harmful social media can be for kids on physical and psychological levels.

The letter stated, "It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account. In short, an Instagram platform for young children is harmful for myriad reasons. The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform."

People really don't want an Instagram for kids

Another advocacy group dubbed Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) has now asked Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to refrain from making such a version of the app as it would put them at ¡®great risk¡¯.

Also Read: Facebook Is Building Instagram For Kids Under 13: Should We Be Worried?

CCFC is a not for profit organisation that works to eliminate child-targeted marketing as well as creating awareness on screen time and the damage digital lifestyle causes to their well being and development.

This was conveyed to Zuckerberg via a letter (reported first by Reuters). The group has highlighted how adolescents today are hooked onto social media apps and how Instagram exploits the young ones¡¯ ¡®fear of missing out, forcing them to keep checking their phones every now and then, while uploading photos and videos to stay relevant among their friends.

CCFC has highlighted that the platform¡¯s constant focus on the way the kids look and self-presentation would be a challenge to adolescent¡¯s privacy and well-being.

Also Read: Instagram Most Invasive App, Shares 79% Of Your Data With Others

Collecting children's user data?

The letter further states the long term harm this new app for kids could cause, ¡°While collecting valuable family data and cultivating a new generation of Instagram users may be good for Facebook's bottom line, it will likely increase the use of Instagram by young children who are particularly vulnerable to the platform's manipulative and exploitative features."

We're already seen how invasive Instagram can truly get, so the fears revealed by CCFC are only valid.

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As of now, Zuckerberg has not responded to either of these letters or released an official statement.

Also Read: Instagram Lets You Watch Posts With Friends Over Video Chat, To Fight Lockdown Blues

We've already seen numerous studies that have shown that kids don't have a positive impact, being on social media platforms. We've already seen vulnerabilities in Facebook's own Messenger Kids app and how it allowed kids to talk to random strangers. So concerns surrounding this new app are very valid.

The announcement for the Instagram account for under 13-year olds was confirmed by Adam Mosseri. He touted that the app will be similar to Messenger Kids which will offer more transparency and control to the parents. The project would be led by Instagram vice president Pavni Diwanji who has been responsible for YouTube Kids at Google.