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Facebook has indicated that it will continue to move forward with its plans to launch a version of its Instagram photo app for young children despite calls from a group of more than 40 state attorneys general to abandon the project.
In a bipartisan addressed letter to chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, the 44 attorneys general called on the social network to stop making plans to launch an Instagram for under-13s, and mentioned concern that social media would have a detrimental effect on the well-being of children.
The group also argued that Facebook has historically “failed to protect the safety and privacy of children on its platforms.”
“An Instagram platform for young children is harmful for countless reasons. Advocates-General are urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform, “the letter said.
In a statement, Facebook indicated it would go ahead with the plans, but would work with lawmakers to address their concerns.
“As all parents know, children are online all the time, whether adults want it or not. We want to improve this situation by offering experiences that give parents visibility and control over what their children do, ”Facebook said.
“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 attorney general. “
Facebook plans to build the new app, which Bloomberg reported is known internally Instagram Youth, met with immediate reactions from child safety advocates and politicians when they emerged in March.
At a U.S. House hearing that month, Zuckerberg and other social media executives, Jack Dorsey of Twitter and Sundar Pichai of Google, clashed. rain of accusations that their platforms are deliberately designed to get young users hooked early, track kids online, and expose them to toxic and predatory content.
In their letter Monday, attorneys general noted that Facebook’s Messenger for Kids app, which launched in 2017, was later found to contain a “significant design flaw” that allowed children to join. group chats with strangers without their parents’ approval. The defect was subsequently resolved.
Facebook has argued that developing a child-friendly version of its apps with additional parental controls would better protect young people who might otherwise be exposed to blatant content if they lied about their age to sign up to major platforms.
Facebook said Monday that the company was “committed not to show ads in any Instagram experience we develop for under-13s.”
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