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Reuters Reuters
11 May, 2021, 6:09 pm
FILE PHOTO: Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to a screen projection of Instagram logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group of 40 state attorneys general on Monday urged Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.
“Use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account,” the officials said in a letter.
“Further, Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms,” they said.
Attorney General Bonta urges Facebook to abandon Instagram for Kids platform
Editor
11 May 2021
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday joined a multistate coalition urging Facebook to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.
In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a coalition of 43 attorneys general cited research showing that social media can be harmful to the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children.
For example, an annual survey tracking the activity of 5.4 million children showed Instagram was frequently flagged for suicidal thoughts, depression, and body image concerns.
The letter also cites reports of cyberbullying and child predators using Instagram s platform to target children, and notes that Facebook has historically failed to protect the welfare of children on its platforms.