Instagram Pauses Kids' App After Backlash

Instagram Pauses Development of App for Younger Users

The head of Instagram has recently announced a “pause” in the development of a dedicated version of the social media platform designed for users under the age of 13. This decision follows closely after investigative reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

The Journal’s reporting revealed internal documents indicating that the Facebook-owned company was cognizant of the fact that its service contributed to feelings of anxiety and mental health challenges among adolescent girls.

CEO Addresses Concerns

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri acknowledged the WSJ report in a Twitter thread, but attempted to frame the “pause” as a deliberate and considered action. He sought to distance it from being a reactive response to the damaging revelations concerning the platform’s impact on the mental wellbeing of young girls.

In 2019, an internal research slide obtained by the WSJ showed that Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, recognized that it exacerbated body image issues for approximately one-third of teenage girls.

Details of the Paused Project

Mosseri stated, “We’re pausing our project to build an Instagram experience for tweens, often referred to as ‘Instagram Kids’.”

He clarified that this version was not intended to replicate the current Instagram experience. The proposed platform was designed for users aged 10-12, with parental approval and oversight regarding followers, messaging, and time spent on the app.

However, the project was prematurely disclosed before its features were fully defined, leading to public apprehension. Further concerns were raised following the WSJ’s reporting, prompting a need for additional consideration.

Calls for Abandonment

Should “taking more time” signify complete abandonment of the project, the outcome may be welcomed by numerous child protection organizations and stakeholders. These groups have been advocating for Facebook to discontinue the plan for several months.

In May, attorneys general from 44 U.S. states and territories collectively urged Facebook to abandon the development of an Instagram platform for children under 13.

Previously, Mosseri had downplayed concerns regarding the app’s potential negative effects on teenagers, characterizing them as “quite small”.

Reframing the Decision

“Critics will view this as an admission that the project is flawed. This is not the case,” Mosseri asserted in his recent tweet thread. He then expressed concern that alternative apps used by younger children could pose even greater risks.

New Parental Controls

Alongside the announcement regarding the paused “tweens” app, Instagram revealed plans to develop optional parental controls for teenage users.

Details regarding these controls were initially limited due to a temporary issue with the link to Instagram’s blog post, but the move suggests the company is responding to scrutiny. This response is fueled by reports indicating that 32% of teenage girls reported worsened body image as a result of using Instagram.

The WSJ’s report also highlighted a disturbing correlation between Instagram use and suicidal ideation. Specifically, 13% of British teens and 6% of American teens who experienced suicidal thoughts directly attributed their feelings to the platform.

Internal documentation revealed that teenagers consistently blamed Instagram for increased rates of anxiety and depression, even without prompting.

“Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression,” one internal slide explicitly stated. “This reaction was unprompted and consistent across all groups.”