Facebook is considering launching a version of its popular photo social media platform, Instagram, for children under the age of 13, according to The German News Agency.
The BuzzFeed News website reported that Vishal Shah, Instagram's vice president of product, wrote on an employee message board in which he said: "I'm excited to announce that going forward, we have identified youth work as a priority for Instagram and have added it to our H1 priority list. We will be building a new youth pillar within the Community Product Group to focus on two things: (a) accelerating our integrity and privacy work to ensure the safest possible experience for teens and (b) building a version of Instagram that allows people under the age of 13 to safely use Instagram for the first time."
Current Instagram policy forbids children under the age of 13 from using the service.
In 2017, Facebook launched Messenger Kids, a product aimed at children under 13 years old.
While Facebook didn't confirm the news, it said: "Increasingly kids are asking their parents if they can join apps that help them keep up with their friends."
"Right now there aren't many options for parents, so we're working on building additional products … that are suitable for kids, managed by parents. We're exploring bringing a parent-controlled experience to Instagram to help kids keep up with their friends, discover new hobbies and interests, and more," the company added.
