ABC6 | Jarrod Clay
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost joined 43 other attorneys general in demanding that Facebook ditch its plan to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13 because it threatens their safety and well-being.
In a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg, the coalition of 44 attorneys general contend that social media can be detrimental to children for myriad reasons.
“Facebook and Instagram already have too much control over what we see, hear and buy – and when you add in the dangers of online predators and cyberbullying, it’s unsafe for children,” Yost said. “Until Mr. Zuckerberg can prove that he’s doing more to police these platforms, he needs to stay away from our kids.”
The attorneys general said young children are ” ill-equipped to handle the many challenges associated with an Instagram account.” They also said there is a risk predators will hide their identities and exploit children online.