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Online Safety: Groups urge Facebook to halt idea of Instagram for children under 13

*99 groups and individuals around the world have expressed concerns over the privacy and health implications of establishing an Instagram for children under 13 years, contending that platform’s business model poses inherent risks to kids’ privacy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) in a letter stating its health and security concerns and addressed to Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Facebook, has expressed opposition to the idea of Instagram app usage for children under 13 years old.

The advocacy group claimed the “image-obsessed” social network would have a negative impact on developing young minds, even if it would be “managed by parents” as Facebook promised, agency report said.

Keep your kids safe online   Photo: NeilSquire.Ca

The letter, signed by 99 groups and individuals around the world, also took issue with the privacy implications of establishing an Instagram for children.

The advocacy groups’ letter said: “We agree that the current version of Instagram is not safe for children under 13 and that something must be done to protect the millions of children who have lied about their age to create Instagram accounts, especially since their presence on the platform could be a violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other nations’ privacy laws.”

It was learnt the group contended that launching a version of the photo-sharing app for children under 13 is “not the right remedy and would put young users at great risk.”

As regards mental health and privacy risks, the signatories pointed out that Instagram is already used by those under 13, and those users aren’t likely to “abandon it for a new site that seems babyish.”

Furthermore, the group argued that the nature of the platform is not suitable for children who are in the midst of such a formative period.

“In the elementary and middle school years, children experience incredible growth in their social competencies, abstract thinking, and sense of self.

“Finding outlets for self-expression and connection with their peers become especially important.

“We are concerned that a proposed Instagram for kids would exploit these rapid developmental changes,” stated the groups in their letter to Facebook Chief.

Josh Golin, Executive Director of CCFC, noted that Instagram’s business model poses inherent risks to kids’ privacy.

Golin added: “Instagram’s business model relies on extensive data collection, maximising time on devices, promoting a culture of over-sharing and idolising influencers, as well as a relentless focus on often altered physical appearance.

“It is certainly not appropriate for seven-year olds.”

In connection with potential for exploitation of children on the Social Media channel, although Facebook has said it believes that creating an Instagram for under 13s would help keep them safe on the platform, the CCFC yet maintained that the opposite would be true.

ConsumerConnect recalls that the European Union (EU) had decided to investigate Instagram over children’s privacy concerns October 2020, when a data scientist claims the platform leaked the contact information of minors.

At the time the probe was reportedly carried out by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), which was launched in response to reports that Instagram offered business accounts to kids as young as 13 years old.

Regulators are concerned that children’s e-mail addresses and phone numbers may have been displayed publicly while online.

DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said: “Instagram is a social media platform which is used widely by children in Ireland and across Europe.

“The DPC has been actively monitoring complaints received from individuals in this area and has identified potential concerns in relation to the processing of children’s personal data on Instagram which require further examination.”

The DBC is looking into whether Instagram sufficiently protects personal data of children and whether it has restrictions in place to prevent exposure of that data.

Facebook, Instagram’s owner, could face a fine of as much as four percent of its annual worldwide revenue if the app is found to have broken privacy laws, a report said at the time.

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