Instagram Kids Development Delayed in Light of Negative Impact on Kids
Instagram Kids is a Facebook-owned app designed specifically for children ages 10-12. The new app would be advertisement-free, require parent permission for use, and feature specific content targeted towards this age group. But in late September 2021, after massive backlash from parents, physicians, and the mental health community in general, progress has been paused on its development.
In May 2021, 44 attorneys approached Facebook encouraging them to quit the project to protect children's mental health. An investigative report from the Wall Street Journal, "Facebook Knows Instagram is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show," revealed that Facebook was moving ahead with a project that could potentially hurt young girls especially.