Facebook Puts Instagram for Kids on Hold After Pushback

Amid criticism of its handling of research on the effects of Instagram on children, Facebook is putting a hold on the development of a kids’ version of Instagram, geared specifically for kids under the age of 13, to address concerns that have been raised about the vulnerability of younger users.

The announcement follows an investigative series by The Wall Street Journal which reported that Facebook was aware that the use of Instagram by some teenage girls led to mental health issues and anxiety. Yet the development of Instagram for a younger audience was met with broader opposition almost immediately. The social network refuted that article as well, saying its research said that young people had “both positive and negative experiences with social media,” among other things.

Facebook pointed out that both YouTube and TikTok have versions of their apps for kids under 13. It also said that Instagram Kids would not be the same as Instagram is now, and is meant for tweens between 10 and 12 years old, not younger children. 

Facebook announced the development of an Instagram Kids app in March, saying at the time that it was “exploring a parent-controlled experience.” Two months later, a bipartisan group of 44 attorneys general wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to abandon the project, citing the well-being of children.

They cited increased cyberbullying, possible vulnerability to online predators, and what they called Facebook’s “checkered record” in protecting children on its platforms. Facebook faced similar criticism in 2017 when it launched the Messenger Kids app, touted as a way for children to chat with family members and friends approved by parents.

This isn’t the first time Facebook has received backlash for a product aimed at children. Child development experts urged the company to shut down its Messenger Kids app in 2018, saying it was not responding to a “need” as Facebook insisted but creating one instead.

In that case, Facebook went ahead with the app.