Facebook Faces Backlash for Plans on Building an ‘Instagram for Children’
Facebook is finding itself in the crosshairs of an overwhelming majority of the U.S. Attorneys General after the tech giant shared its plan of creating an Instagram specifically aimed at children 13 and younger. Buzzfeed originally broke the news in which Facebook described its latest project as an effort to allow children to use Instagram “safely.” In response, 44 attorneys general have voiced their opposition to Facebook's plan.
In a letter crafted by the National Association of Attorneys General, the president, Karl A. Racine explains, “The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon these plans. 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 passionate letter offers several authoritative sources citing the negative impact Facebook’s plan would have on the health and wellbeing of children. The letter explains, “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.”
The concept is still in its early phase, but in a response from the tech giant, Facebook appears to stand behind its plans. A spokesperson for the company shared that Facebook has “just started exploring a version of Instagram for kids.” Through the development of its latest venture, the company defends that it would not show ads to the young users of the platform.
Facebook has also defended its intentions to protect the well-being of children while on the platform. A spokesperson for the company shared, “We agree that any experience we develop 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. We also look forward to working with legislators and regulators, including the nation’s attorneys general.”
The company explains that children are already on the internet, to begin with, and they hope to create a space that gives children a positive experience while online. Their statement explains, “We want to improve this situation by delivering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their kids are doing. We are developing these experiences in consultation with experts in child development, child safety and mental health, and privacy advocates.”
The attorneys general vowed that Facebook is doing the opposite. In their letter, they explained, “It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account” The AGs add, “In short, an Instagram platform for young children is harmful for myriad reasons. The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform.”
There is an endless supply of research that supports the prevalence of teens on social media. And while social media has some benefits, there’s also a growing number of research that supports the overwhelming negative impact social media has on teens. One wellness group warns parents of the danger explaining, “As they scroll through various social media apps, they see unrealistic standards of beauty and materialistic possessions. They start to compare their lives to others. Because of what is seen on social media, preteens and teens may alter their appearance, engage in negative behaviors, and accept risky social media challenges to gain attention in the form of ‘likes,’ comments, and number of followers.”
While the dangers are clear to adults, teens may not always be in tune with how negative social media can be. According to data compiled by Pew Research, 31% of teens feel social media has had a positive effect with only 24% saying it's been negative. The remaining 45%, however, cannot decide if social media has had a negative or positive impact on them.
Another child advocacy group, Act for Youth, highlights that one of the most common determinants of social media, online bullying and harassment, is something that will likely increase if access to social media on impressionable youth is expanded. Act for Youth explains that while many teens are online, they may not always seek the dangers of the internet. One example being examined by researchers is youth and pornography. Act for Youth explains, “Many youths are exposed to pornography online that they are not seeking. A 2018 meta-analysis found that one in five youth under 18 are exposed to unwanted sexual material online.” The AGs reiterated this in their letter explaining that kids are “simply too young to navigate the complexities of what they encounter online, including inappropriate content.”
Some have criticized Facebook's intentions as a means to cast a broader net on the younger generations. Over the years, teens have been moving away from Facebook and into other realms of social media platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, and Youtube, according to Pew Research. Facebook contends that the move will help connect kids to their friends, allow them to explore their hobbies, and will serve as a safe space online.
