Instagram for Kids: Blessing or bane?
A mother and a Gen Z-er present different POVs on the new version of the popular social media app
“Why not let parents ease their minds with a childfriendlier version of social media apps? of an app dominating social networking?” ARAIYA BHATTACHARJEE
“Instagram for Kids just sounds like an invitation for predators.” PARUL PRATAP
“Kids younger than 13 are already online”
Instagram for Kids is something I’ve been reading a lot about of late and it’s brought several questions to my mind. While my parents let me join the app at age 11, I understand why others may have their doubts about it. Instagram, more often than not, exposes you to matters you wouldn’t have even known existed in the world. It also has users who aren’t always looking out for the best interests of others. I’ve experienced that with DMs and comments I get on the content I post. Because of this, I believe that Instagram for Kids is an amazing idea. Kids younger than 13 are already online, and nothing can stop that. So, why not let parents and guardians ease their minds a little and be surer of their children’s safety with a child-friendlier version of an app that’s dominating the social networking world today?
It isn’t just Instagram which is trying to ensure that age-appropriate content is shown to kids, especially with their new Family Center feature, where parents can access controls to limit their kid’s time on the app and see what they have reported. YouTube and TikTok already have child-friendly versions . The idea of an app that allows children to only access videos deemed appropriate for them is a good idea. It prevents them from inadvertently watching something that’s not intended for them!
“There is an age of self-expression”
We decided to allow Facebook at 16 and Instagram perhaps a year later for our teenager. From clickbait to catfishing, everything got murky really fast, so when our daughter turned 16 and I asked her why she wasn’t active on social media, she said, “It’s a judgmental cesspool of creepy agenda”, and that’s a direct quote. Expectations are unrealistic: the unspoken demand of which shoes to wear, what weight to be and where to holiday hang heavy in the air. Aren’t school, fear of the future, personal insecurities and hormones enough to deal with? I can’t even begin to step into the territory of stalkers. Instagram for Kids just sounds like an invitation for predators, and this troubling inkling comes from what we see and read around us! Then comes the question of private profiles. Are they safer? I can’t say! Children are considered minors for a reason. They need mentorship and supervision. The formative years of a child are meant for learning from grandparents, peers, books and even films and TV. Lessons on body positivity, consent, personal space can come later. There is an age for self-expression; till then they need us to guide them on being their best selves without the world’s prying eyes.