Adam Mosseri, the Head of Instagram, announced that the development of “Instagram Kids,” a venture that would enable children under 13 to use an age-appropriate version of Instagram, is temporarily paused. In a blog post published on September 27, 2021, Mosseri said, “The reality is that kids are already online, and we believe that developing age-appropriate experiences designed specifically for them is far better for parents than where we are today.” Defending the concept of social media for children, he implies that we have two options: let children face the unrestricted dangers of Instagram, or offer an experience that filters inappropriate content for younger audiences. Why are these presented as the only possibilities for the future of social media?
The problem with Mosseri’s argument is that he fails to acknowledge the deeper issue at the root of the debate over “Instagram Kids.” Yes, children are accessing Instagram under the age of 13, and this is a huge issue. Social media is designed to hold your attention for as long as possible, and spending extensive amounts of time on social media can have serious consequences on one’s mental health, social skills, and focus. It is important to protect children, who are extremely impressionable, from these consequences, but the solution to this issue is not adapting the app. Children should not be introduced to social media until they are an appropriate age.
The features of Instagram promote concepts that should not be taught to kids. Having a personal profile allows you to express yourself and control the way that you are perceived by others. The structure of Instagram places emphasis on receiving likes or comments, which can compel users to base their self-worth on whether their posts garner acceptance and favor from their peers. Regardless of how “age-appropriate” Instagram intends to make “Instagram Kids,” the very essence of the app promotes seeking validation from others to determine self-worth, a harmful lesson to teach children.
“Instagram Kids” would enable users to message with parent-approved followers. Although this would allow kids to interact with their friends, it could also pose a risk to child development. Research has shown that increased technology use is associated with decreased face-to-face interactions, and promoting digital communication among children could decrease social interaction in real life. Face-to-face interaction is a crucial component of a child’s social and emotional growth, and encouraging “Instagram Kids” could draw users away from social interaction and affect their development.
Rather than modifying Instagram to make it more accessible for kids, we need to educate the general public on the dangers of Instagram. The core features of Instagram encourage messages that are harmful to the development of children, and it is important that parents are aware of the risks that children are exposed to when using social media, regardless of whether it is referred to as “kid-friendly.”