Facebook puts Instagram for kids on hold after pushback

Facebook owned Instagram is putting a hold on the development of Instagram kids after meeting pushback.

Facebook, in March had announced the development of Instagram for kids for children under 13, saying that it was “exploring a parent-controlled experience”.

The Wall Street Journal had reported that Facebook was aware the use of Instagram by some teenage girls led to mental health issues and anxiety.

A group of 44 attorney generals wrote to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to abandon the project, citing the well being of children.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wrote in a blog post on Monday that a delay will give the company time to ‘work with parents, experts, policymakers and regulators, to listen to their concerns, and to demonstrate the value and importance of this project for younger teens’.

Instagram said the decision was taken to address concerns about the vulnerability of younger users.