Attorneys general from 44 of the 50 US states published an open letter on Monday (10) asking that the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, go back in creation of Instagram Kids. The idea of ​​a social network focused on children has been widely criticized by users, parents and specialized bodies.

The document published in the New York Times newspaper highlights effects such as cyberbullying, exposure and the fragility of children as arguments against Instagram Kids. The prosecutors also cite research that shows the use of social media, including Instagram, as the cause of several traumas reported by adolescents and children in the United States, including depression, concerns about body image and even suicidal thoughts.

According to prosecutors, the creation of an Instagram Kids does not serve any need beyond Facebook's commercial ambitions.

“Without question, this is a dangerous idea that jeopardizes the safety of our children and puts them directly in harm’s way,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. “There are too many concerns to let Facebook move forward with this ill-conceived idea, which is why we are calling on the company to abandon the launch of Instagram Kids.”

Facebook responds to accusations

In its defense, Facebook stated that the development of a children's version of Instagram would have the safety and privacy of users in mind. According to the company, the version of the app will not show ads to little ones.

In a statement, Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said: “We want to improve this situation by providing experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing.”

Facebook currently requires a minimum age of 13 to create an Instagram account. In addition to the social network, other platforms such as YouTube and TikTok also have versions intended for children.

Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. 9toMac

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