Wisconsin Attorney General Joins Other AG's Opposing Instagram for Kids

Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 -- 10:00 AM

(WMTV) Debate is growing over Facebook’s plan to develop a kids version of it’s popular photo sharing app, Instagram.

Wisconsin’s Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined Attorney’s General from more than 40 others U.S. states and territories, asking the company to reconsider.  In a letter to Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, a bipartisan coalition of AG’s expressed concern about a Instagram Kids app.

The new social media platform would target kids under the age of 13. The current version of Instagram prohibits users under that age from joining the online community. The company says Instagram Kids would give parents more control over kids’ online activity.

Attorney General Kaul worries the new platform could do more harm than good. “There should not be an Instagram for children under 13-years-old. We need to make sure we’re keeping kids safe online,” Kaul said.

Kaul went on to say that public safety including keeping kids safe online is his job and part of that involves holding major companies like Facebook accountable for enacting policies that protect children.

In a statement, a Facebook spokesperson said the company has “just started exploring a version of Instagram for kids.”  Plans are still in early stages and the company has committed to refrain from showing ads in an Instagram experience for kids under age 13.

Facebook officials argue that kids are already using the internet and that Instagram for kids would allow parents more control over there kids online activity.

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