More than 40 attorneys general urge Facebook to stop plans for an Instagram for kids

Authored by edition.cnn.com and submitted by CapitalCourse

(CNN) Facebook's plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13 continues to get backlash.

Facebook FB On Monday, 44 attorneys general signed a letter addressed toCEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to scrap plans for an Instagram intended for younger users, citing mental health and privacy concerns. The letter comes less than a month after child safety groups and Congress expressed similar concerns.

"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 latest letter said . "Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms. The attorneys general have an interest in protecting our youngest citizens, and Facebook's plans to create a platform where kids under the age of 13 are encouraged to share content online is contrary to that interest."

Facebook claims such a service would give parents greater control over their children's online activity.

"As every parent knows, kids are already online. We want to improve this situation by delivering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement to CNN Business. "We are developing these experiences in consultation with experts in child development, child safety and mental health, and privacy advocates. We also look forward to working with legislators and regulators, including the nation's attorneys general. In addition, we commit today to not showing ads in any Instagram experience we develop for people under the age of 13."

iamanitwit on May 11st, 2021 at 02:37 UTC »

Leave the kids alone zuckerberg

audiofx330 on May 11st, 2021 at 00:11 UTC »

I wonder how fast "Little Kid Lover" will be taken.

staticishock96 on May 10th, 2021 at 23:58 UTC »

I hope that doesn't happen.