I'm not going to lie. I love social media. It is a fun way to connect with people, express yourself, and capture memories. While I do remember a time before social media, a good chunk of my life has been documented on social platforms. I remember getting Facebook when I was WAY too young to get a Facebook. Should my parents maybe not have let their kid have the power to poke random strangers online? Maybe...maybe not.

I also grew up with that understanding that the internet and social media could cause some major harm. If you turned on the news or any random cable cop show in the early 2000s you could probably get a feel for why. I was always told not to talk to strangers, so when I got my first social media account those rules and safeguards crossed over. My parents are baby boomers, so they grew up in a time before you could share your breakfast with all of your followers (also why do we still post breakfast pics anymore?).

When I become a parent (way...WAY down the road) I have a good idea for what I'd let my child use when it comes to social media. Kids on these platforms are getting younger and younger; and before you know it a feetus could have a million followers on Instagram years from now. Nothing a parent does will completely hinder a child from doing something they REALLY want to do. We all were kids, and we know what we could get over on our parents.

Facebook is in the works of making an Instagram specifically for kids. This may seem like a crazy idea, especially when I just mentioned that kids on the platforms keep getting younger, but they're going to want to use these anyways, right? It might be a good idea to give them safeguards so they can't get into any trouble, and so the parent could keep an eye on them.

BuzzFeed News obtained a post from within the social media company with information about future plans to create a version of Instagram for younger children.

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This information was revealed in a message board for Facebook employees. The vice president of Instagram's product made this news public to the company on this message board the day after Saint Patrick's Day. Vishal Shah says the following in this announcement.

I’m excited to announce that going forward, we have identified youth work as a priority for Instagram and have added it to our H1 priority list."

 

Shah expressed two goals for this new venture; both of which fall under the umbrella of making social media platforms safer for children that fall in the age group.

1. Improve privacy measures
2. Create a version of Instagram for kids under 13.

If you do come across a child under the age of 13 on the app, you should report is to the social media account. Facebook, who owns Instagram, requires all users to be at least 13 years of age or older. There are accounts permitted for individuals under the age if it clearly states in the account's bio that it is managed by a parent or manager. You can check out all the details on how you can report an account here.

What do you think of this new possible version of the photo sharing app? Let us know on Facebook...just make sure you're at least 13.

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