Facebook receives plea from Africa, others to cancel launch of Instagram for pre-teens
Campaigners from Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and the Campaign for a Commercial-free Childhood were among nearly 100 groups to make a plea in a letter to Facebook CEOMark Zuckerberg against the launch of Instagram for children under 13.
Although Facebook intends to launch the new version with parental control, advocates for children from around the world have urged the Big Tech to ditch the plans.
According to the letter, Instagram “exploits young people’s fear of missing out and desire for peer approval. The platform’s relentless focus on appearance, self-presentation and branding presents challenges to adolescents’ privacy and well-being.” The letter further stressed concerns about predators, bullies and inappropriate content.
Facebook-owned Instagram, like its parent company, allows only those older than 13 to join but verifying age on the internet makes it challenging to catch all rule breakers. Instagram, which has more than a billion users, recently unveiled technology aimed at preventing underage children from creating accounts and blocking adults from contacting young users they don’t know.
The platform is also looking at ways to make it more difficult for adults who have been exhibiting “potentially suspicious behavior” to interact with teens.
As expressed in the letter: “Facebook’s long track record of exploiting young people and putting them at risk makes the company particularly unsuitable as the custodian of a photo sharing and social messaging site for children. In short, an Instagram site for kids will subject young children to a number of serious risks and will offer few benefits for families.”
But according to Facebook spokeswoman Stephanie Otway “The reality is that kids are online. They want to connect with their family and friends, have fun and learn, and we want to help them do that in a way that is safe and age-appropriate.”
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.