Facebook Inc. said it is working on a version of its Instagram app for children under the age of 13, who are technically not allowed to use it due to federal privacy regulations.
The social media giant confirmed in an earlier report from Buzzfeed News on Friday, that it is "exploring a parent-controlled experience" on Instagram.
Critics raised concerns immediately, saying a kid-friendly Instagram is just a way for Facebook to expand its user base and condition children into using its products so it can later make money off of them.
However, critics immediately raised their concerns, saying that kid-friendly Instagram is just a way for Facebook to expand its user base to make more profits.
"Facebook poses one of the biggest threats when it comes to children's privacy,” said Rasha Abdel-Rahim, Co-Director of Amnesty International.
Children are not given separate Facebook or Messenger accounts instead, the app will act as an extension of a parent's account. Parents will be allowed to view and control who their children can chat with.
Also, child development experts urged the company to pull off the new app., saying babies don't need to be on social media.
Facebook said in a statement that kids are increasingly asking their parents if they can join apps that help them keep up with their friends.
Facebook added: "At the moment, there aren't many options for parents, so we are working on building additional products, as we did with Messenger Kids, that are child-friendly, and parent-managed."
Facebook had mentioned earlier that the Messenger Kids, when it was launched, would not display ads or collect data for children.
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