Attorneys general from over 40 states urge Facebook to cancel plans for Instagram for kids

Attorneys general from 44 states and territories are calling on Facebook to abandon its plans to create a version of Instagram for children under 13. In a letter addressed to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the National Association of Attorneys General cited the mental distress social media can inflict on younger children, along with children's inability to understand privacy.

Instagram has a minimum age requirement of 13 to create an account but the new app would allow kids under 13 to join. The company has promised not to show advertisements to children. "It appears that Facebook is not responding to a need, but instead creating one, as this platform appeals primarily to children who otherwise do not or would not have an Instagram account. In short, an Instagram platform for young children is harmful for myriad reasons. The attorneys general urge Facebook to abandon its plans to launch this new platform," the letter reads.