Instagram plan draws criticism

An international coalition of 35 children’s and consumer groups has called on Instagram to scrap its plans to develop a version of the popular photosharing app for users younger than 13.

Instagram’s push for a separate children’s app comes after years of complaints from legislators and parents that the platform has been slow to identify underage users and protect them from sexual predators and bullying.

But in a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook — the company that owns the photosharing service — the nonprofit groups warned that a children’s version of Instagram would not mitigate such problems.

Stephanie Otway, a Facebook spokeswoman, said that Instagram planned to consult with experts on children’s health and safety on the project.