Tech’s most trustworthy company has decided – after some criticism – to pause work on its official Instagram Kids app to further consult with policymakers and parents alike.
Instagram Kids was intended to be a version of the popular Facebook app that would appeal to children aged 10-12. Reportedly, the app would feature a number of differences over its more mature cousin and would introduce anti-bullying features as well as the ability to toggle a reminder to take a break.
While questions and criticism abound – largely around the allegation that Facebook would potentially be opening up a younger cohort of users to advertising (paid for, or not) – Instagram Kids was instead intended to be a ‘supervised’ experience.
In a video and tweet, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri quipped that the app was “never meant for younger kids, but for tweens (aged 10-12),”. Speaking on leaks that revealed the app before it was ready, Mosseri added that “People feared the worst, and we had few answers at that stage. It’s clear we need to take more time on this.”
“I have to believe parents would prefer the option for their children to use an age-appropriate version of Instagram – that gives them oversight – than the alternative. But I’m not here to downplay their concerns, we have to get this right”, Mosseri added.
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