Instagram—Instagram paused development of Instagram Kids app after backlash
Following Frances Haugen whistleblower revelations and public outcry, Instagram announced in September 2021 it was pausing work on Instagram Kids, a platform intended for users under 13. The app would have targeted pre-teens despite internal research showing Instagram harms teen mental health. The pause came after intense criticism from lawmakers, child safety advocates, and parents.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Safety | +toward | primary | +1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | +0.375 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (medium ×1) × confidence (0.50)× agency (reactive ×0.75)