Facebook to Create Child-Proof Version of Instagram

The App considers prioritizing youth safety

Social Media giant, Instagram, is exploring the possibility of launching a version of the app for children under the age of 13. The popular photo-sharing app current policy prohibits those youngsters from using the service.

According to BuzzFeed News, Facebook is developing a parent-controlled version of Instagram, with similar parameters to the Messenger Kids app made for kids between the ages of six and twelve. The work would be spearheaded by Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, alongside Pavni Diwanji, a vice present who joined the parent company in December. Diwanji previously worked at Google, where she oversaw children products such as YouTube Kids.

In an interview with BuzzFeed News, Mosseri said “We have to do a lot here, but part of the solution is to create a version of Instagram for young people or kids where parents have transparency or control. It’s one of the things we’re exploring.”

The internal announcement came shortly after the company said it needs to do more to protect its youngest users. Following, recent coverage and public criticism towards the app for exposing teens to bullying, abuse or predation.

A recent Pew survey found that 59 percent of teens have been bullied online, and according to a 2017 survey conducted by Ditch the Label, an anti-bullying charity, more than one in five 12-to-20-year-olds experience bullying specifically on Instagram.

In response, Instagram published a blogpost on Tuesday entitled “Continuing to Make Instagram Safer for the Youngest Members of Our Community.”

This post however does not mention any plans for a kid-friendly rendition of the app, but states “In the US, we’ve collaborated with The Child Mind Institute and ConnectSafely to publish a new Parents Guide. It includes the latest safety tools and privacy settings, as well as a list of tips and conversation starters to help parents navigate discussions with their teens about their online presence.”

Instagram remains in early development stages of the child-proof product and has yet to establish a detailed planned.

 

 

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