"While collecting valuable family data and cultivating a new generation of Instagram users may be good for Facebook's bottom line, it will likely increase the use of Instagram by young children who are particularly vulnerable to the platform’s manipulative and exploitative features," the groups said in the letter to Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg.
But though the "Instagram for kids" idea has received a lot of attention, Facebook is not alone among social media companies looking to target children. And stuck between the children and the dangled treats of children's content are the parents, who are generally told that too much screen time is dangerous and they are responsible for limiting their children's access.From his children's internet addiction clinic in northern Sydney, psychologist Brad Marshall has observed the steady creep of screen use among children over the past decade.
"Parents getting into rip-roaring arguments with kids over screens is one of biggest things we deal with," he said.
Kids should NOT be on social media, period! Not only is screen time an issue, there’s also cyber bullying! Also, what’s stopping pedophiles from accessing this kids Instagram or any social media for that matter?!
Debate carried on by adults glued to their screens
This app will just be grooming children for adult usage. It is exploitation.
If we do not control how free enterprise can interact with children we are not being a responsible society. We need a comprehensive program to teach children how to deal with marketing, social media and exploitation. Help them to deal with modern reality.
Kids that age shouldn’t even have mobile phones…
'Screen time' is anancient concept, we're only a decade away from implanting cybernetics which will mostly be used for social media.
Even a little is too much.
Short Answer - no. Too many safety, privacy issues. Then factor in cyber bullying. No should not be allowed
I can recall the same debate in my 80s household over a Walkman.
There are now no boundaries for massive companies. They've saturated the adult and teen market... Now let's make money out of young children. Let kids be kids. They don't need another app to be addicted to. Cigarettes for kids is also a bad idea