According to the officials, use of social media can be detrimental to the health and well-being of children, who are not equipped to navigate the challenges of having a social media account. U.S. officials representing 44 states and territories on Monday urged Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg to abandon plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13. The letter cited research that shows link between young person’s use of social media and an increase in mental distress, self-injurious behaviour, and suicidal tendency. Besides, they are too young to navigate challenges of social media such as online relationships where other users, including predators, can disguise their identities behind the internet. “These alarming failures cast doubt on Facebook’s ability to protect children on their proposed Instagram platform and comply with relevant privacy laws such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act,” AGs said.

Source: The Hindu May 11, 2021 11:13 UTC