Group of public health advocates urged facebook to scrap Instagram for children plans

CNI Desk: A group of public health advocates from around the world wants Facebook to scrap its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children.

A letter from the Campaign for a Commercial-free Childhood, signed by 99 groups and individuals, claims the "image-obsessed" platform is dangerous for children's health and privacy.

 

Plans for an Instagram for under-13s have been mooted in recent weeks.

Facebook, which owns Instagram, said it would be "managed by parents".

"Kids are already online, and want to connect with their family and friends, have fun, and learn. We want to help them do that in a safe and age-appropriate way, and find practical solutions to the ongoing industry problem of kids lying about their age to access apps," the social media giant told the BBC.

"We're working on new age verification methods to keep under-13s off Instagram, and have just started exploring an Instagram experience for kids that is age-appropriate and managed by parents.