Why the children's Instagram project is causing controversy in the United States

Will a “kids” version of Instagram see the light of day? For now, just like Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok, Instagram is restricted to users over the age of 13. In fact, it is easy to get around this limitation since it suffices to put a false date of birth when registering. In March, the social network confirmed its plan to create a version of its service reserved for the youngest teenagers, a service that the American site BuzzFeedNews had revealed a few days earlier after viewing an internal message.

This project sparked an uproar among child rights professionals. The controversy resumed this week. Most American states on Monday called on Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg to abandon the project, citing the risks to the mental health of young people.

Many risks highlighted

“Research shows a correlation between the use of social networks and the ‘rise in psychological distress and suicidal behavior among young people'”, argue the attorneys general of 44 states in a letter to the founder of the Californian giant. They cite studies showing the harm caused by constant comparison with peers, such as eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia).

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They also mention the dangers of online bullying by other teens or adult criminals and ensure that children are not sufficiently versed in digital codes – what photos and messages can be posted online, who is likely to see them, the permanent nature of these contents, etc.

“Social networks are not only powerful tools that can harm young people, this project could also make it easier for predators,” said prosecutor Letitia James of New York State in a statement. “Facebook has a negative track record in terms of protecting the safety and privacy of children on its platform,” prosecutors continue.

The boss of Facebook defended at the end of March the idea of a service dedicated to children, during a hearing in Congress. He explained that “with proper supervision, social media could help children stay connected to loved ones and friends,” as noted. International mail, from the Wall Street Journal. What Attorneys General Refuted: “There are myriads of other, safer ways for children to stay connected with family and friends.”

“They are already online”

In mid-April, an international coalition of children’s rights professionals had already sent a letter to this effect to Mark Zuckerberg. “While collecting valuable family data and retaining a new generation of Instagram users is arguably good for Facebook’s bottom line, it is likely to increase Instagram use by young children who are particularly vulnerable to functions of the platform promoting manipulation and exploitation, “said the CCFC, a collective which campaigns against marketing targeting children.

“We have just started exploring a version of Instagram for younger teens,” Facebook spokesperson Stephanie Otway confirmed in April. “The reality is that children are already online,” she remarked, before specifying that there would be no advertising in this application, and that the security and respect for the privacy of young people users would be the “priority”.

The app, which has more than a billion users worldwide, recently showcased technology to prevent children under 13 from creating an account and to block adults who try to contact children they don’t. not know.