CALIFORNIA: Facebook is considering launching a version of its popular photo social media platform, Instagram, for children under the age of 13, an effort to get its popular products into the hands of the next generation of internet users.
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri confirmed that a version of Instagram for children under the age of thirteen is in the pipeline. “Kids are increasingly asking their parents if they can join apps that help them keep up with their friends,” he told an international magazine.
“A version of Instagram where parents have control, like we did with Messenger Kids, is something we’re exploring. We’ll share more down the road,” he added. Mosseri will supervise the project along with vice president Pavni Diwanji, who previously ran YouTube Kids, according to the magazine.
Instagram, bought by Facebook almost a decade ago for $1 billion, has become one of its most popular products at a time when its main social networking property has failed to resonate with some younger users.
The company also announced plans to roll out new safety features, including preventing adults from messaging people under the age of 18 who do not follow them, safety notices for teens when messaged by an adult sending a large amount of friend requests or messages to people under 18.
