Facebook is planning to build a version of Instagram for children who are under the age of 13, according to BuzzFeed News, who obtained an internal company post from Facebook in March of 2021. This has led to controversy among lawmakers and a large group of U.S. Attorneys Generals.
A group of four Democratic lawmakers signed a letter in April of 2021, to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The lawmakers were Senator Ed Markey, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Kathy Castor and Representative Lori Trahan.
In the letter, the lawmakers question Mark Zuckerberg about Instagram for Kids. “Facebook has an obligation to ensure that any new platforms or projects targeting children put those users’ welfare first, and we are skeptical that Facebook is prepared to fulfill this obligation.”
The lawmakers also pointed out that Facebook’s Messenger for Kids app, which was for kids between the ages of six and twelve, contained “a significant design flaw that allowed children to circumvent restrictions on online interactions.” The flaw enabled children to enter group chats with individuals who were not approved by the children’s parents.
The majority of the letter is a series of very specific questions for Mark Zuckerberg. Some questions ask for more details about Instagram for Kids. Others want to know how Facebook will protect children’s privacy.
In addition, 44 state Attorneys General have together sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (in May of 2021) in which they urged him to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13. The group contends that social media can be detrimental to children for a myriad of reasons and that Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms.
Instagram for Kids has not been released yet. Parents who allow their children to use social media unattended should be aware that they might sign themselves up for the app if Facebook decides to launch it.
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