Facebook Admits Postponing Instagram Kids Project Due To Bad News On Its Platform

Facebook temporarily delays the launch of Instagram Kids (photo: doc unsplash)

JAKARTA - Facebook has reportedly postponed the Instagram Kids project, but has promised to continue tightening surveillance on teen accounts. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri said the app was aimed at kids ages 10 to 12.

"While we believe building Instagram Kids is the right thing to do, Instagram, and its parent company Facebook, will re-evaluate the project at a later date," Facebook said in a statement.

"In the meantime Instagram will continue to focus on teen safety and expand parental control features for teens," he added.

The postponement of the Instagram Kids project came after a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report showed Facebook repeatedly found its Instagram app harmful to many teens. The WSJ cites Facebook studies over the past three years that examined how Instagram affects its young user base, where teenage girls are the most disadvantaged.

The report led lawmakers to step in to address their concerns over social media apps. Right after the news broke, many demanded answers from Facebook.

But he acknowledged that the controversy caused by the WSJ story had made it difficult for the project to proceed, "The articles that the WSJ reported recently caused greater concern. Obviously we need to take more time on this," Mosseri said. Tuesday, September 28.

Mosseri acknowledged that more time was needed to work with parents, experts, policy makers and regulators, to listen to their concerns, and to demonstrate the value and importance of this project for young youth.

"We started this project to address an important problem that is seen across our industry. Children are getting older to use cell phones, misinterpret their age, and download apps aimed at those aged 13 and over," said Mosseri.

"We strongly believe that it's better for parents to have the option to give their children access to a version of Instagram designed for them, where parents can supervise and control their experience rather than relying on the app's ability to verify their age. too young to have ID," he added.

Mosseri added, YouTube and TikTok also have versions of their apps for children under 13, validating Instagram's desire for a children's platform. He noted that the company will explain how the new extended parental controls for teen accounts (13+) will work in the coming months.

There have been dozens of studies over the years that show the negative effects of social media sites like Facebook and Instagram on teens and their perceptions of themselves. But the WSJ report is one of the few times it has been revealed that the company itself is aware of problems with their platform.

Mosseri said that part of the reason why they wanted to create Instagram Kids was because the current app was never aimed at teenagers.

"Instagram Kids, was never meant for young children, but for teens (ages 10-12). To use this service will require parental consent to join, will have no ads, and will have age-appropriate content and features ," explained Mosseri.

"Parents can keep tabs on the time their kids spend on the app and keep an eye on who can message them, who can follow them and who they can follow. The list goes on."