Facebook is building a children’s version of Instagram
And people are seriously worried
Executives at Facebook are planning to build a ‘kid-friendly’ version of the popular photo-sharing app, aimed at children under the age of 13.
An internal Instagram post obtained by BuzzFeed News disclosed, “We have identified youth work as a priority for Instagram and have added it to our H1 priority list.”
The aim of the company is to build a version of the platform that will allow children to ‘safely’ use Instagram for the first time. The current Instagram policy forbids children under the age of 13 from using the service. Facebook wants to create a space specially tailored for children that they can use legally.
According to a report from nonprofit Thorn showed that 40% of children surveyed (aged under 13) already use Instagram, and 26% have encountered potentially harmful experiences online, including sexual interaction.
Many have serious doubts about the results about the initiative, US lawmakers have petitioned to Mark Zuckerberg demanding that he abandon the plan, the National Association of Attorney’s General wrote, “Young children are not equipped to handle the range of challenges that come with having an Instagram account. Children do not have a developed understanding of privacy. Specifically, they may not fully appreciate what content is appropriate for them to share with others, the permanency of content they post on an online platform, and who has access to what they share online.”
However Facebook have “clapped back,” they argue that it’s better to have a dedicated space designed for children which tops them from using the ‘adult’ version of Instagram which currently has no parental oversight. “We want to improve this situation by delivering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing,” they explained.