Instagram Kids App Paused After Criticism !

Yashika Gupta

Oct 04,2024
2 min read
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Facebook-owned photo-sharing app Instagram on September 27, 2021, said that it is pausing on “Instagram Kids” a version for children younger than 13.

However, US lawmakers and advocacy groups have opposed the launch of "Instagram Kids", urging the social media giant to drop its plans, stating that it had failed to "make meaningful commitments to protecting kids online."

"We believe building 'Instagram Kids' is the right thing to do, but we're pausing the work," Instagram said in a blog post, adding it would continue building on its parental monitoring tools. "The reality is that kids are already online, and we believe that developing age-appropriate experiences designed specifically for them is far better for parents than where we are today."

A group of 40 state attorney generals in May this year had commended Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.

"Use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account," the officials said in a letter. "Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms," they said.

A Facebook presenter said the company had "just started exploring a version of Instagram for kids" and said it was pledging "to not showing ads in any Instagram experience we develop for people under the age of 13".

The company had also said it approved that any version of the photo-sharing app Instagram "must prioritize their safety and privacy, and we will consult with experts in child development, child safety, and mental health, and privacy advocates to inform it".