Instagram said in a blog post that creating Instagram Kids was the correct thing to do, but that it would take a break and focus on its parental supervision features instead.
Due to mounting criticism, Instagram has put a hold on its plans to create a new app specifically for children.
The Wall Street Journal published an article earlier this month that focused on statistics suggesting that Instagram was having a negative impact on teenagers, particularly young girls, and that Facebook had taken no steps to solve the problem. Facebook, on the other hand, has stated that the claim is incorrect.
“We won’t stop pressuring Facebook until they pull the plug permanently,” said Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a children’s advocacy group.
The reality is that children are already online, and we believe that creating age-appropriate experiences tailored to them is a lot better option for parents than where we are now,” Instagram said.
Instagram Kids was expected to require parental permission to join and to deliver ad-free, age-appropriate material, but lawmakers and advocacy groups in the United States have requested the social media giant to abandon its plans to launch the service, citing concerns about child safety.
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