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AG Tong speaks out against Facebook's plan to launch 'Instagram Kids'

The coalition argues young children are not equipped to handle the many challenges that come with having an Instagram account.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Facebook is looking to launch a version of Instagram for children, but some attorneys general are urging otherwise. 

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 44 attorneys general from around the country, urging Facebook to not launch Instagram for kids. 

Speaking on FOX61 Morning News on Wednesday, Tong said his concerns lie with both the prospect of a platform like that in general, but also the distrust that Facebook could do it properly. 

"I think it's a mentally bad idea to build another platform for kids to engage online without the proper safeguards," said Tong, "I don't think that Facebook has proven that it's able to protect adults frankly from misinformation and disinformation, from breaches of privacy and the improper use of our information – from scammers and predators. Why would we subject our children to an even greater risk of that to a dedicated Instagram to kids?"

In a letter sent to Facebook, the attorneys general expressed various concerns over Facebook's proposal, including research that stated social media can be harmful to the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of a child, particularly amid "worsening cyberbullying on Instagram".

RELATED: Tong joins coalition urging Facebook to abandon launch of Instagram Kids

Children do use normal Instagram every day, so wouldn't one for children be safer? The attorneys general see it this way: 

"We already have problems in Facebook and Instagram policing their platforms and protecting kids on those platforms. How can we have any faith they can do it on a dedicated platform for kids?" Tong said. 

The coalition argues young children are not equipped to handle the many challenges that come with having an Instagram account, including that they often lack a developed understanding of privacy.

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They cite the risk that predators may exploit children online and cloak their identities using the anonymity of the Internet. The attorneys said Facebook and Instagram reported 20 million child sexual abuse images in 2020.

Co-leading the letter are the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Vermont, and the letter is joined by the attorneys general of Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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