In the aftermath of critical testimony that its platforms harm kids, Facebook will be introducing the latest new features, including encouraging teens to take a break using Instagram and prompting teen users if they are frequently looking at the same content that is not helpful to their well-being.
California-based Facebook, the Menlo Park, is also making plans to launch the latest controls for adults of teens on a non-compulsory basis so that guardians or parents can monitor what their children are doing online. These initiatives from the company came after it announced in September that it was halting work on its Instagram for Kids Project.
“Facebook unveils new controls for kids using its platforms” posted by Nagendra Bandi. Facebook, in the aftermath of damning testimony that its platforms harm children, will be introducing several features including prompting teens to take a break using its photo sharing app… pic.twitter.com/5TfezakadX
— Nagendra Bandi (@HiNagendraBandi) October 10, 2021
However, critics say the announcement lacks detailed information, and they are doubtful that the recent features would be effective. Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, Nick Clegg, outlined the new controls on Sunday. On CNN’s State of the Union, Clegg told Dana Bash that they are continuously iterating to improve their products to make them safe and enjoyable to use.
Teams are Working on to Keep Facebook Safe
Further, he added that the social media platform invested around thirteen billion dollars during the last some years in making sure to keep Facebook safe and that the firm has forty thousand people working on these issues. The executive director of Fairplay, Josh Golin, said that he does not think announcing controls to help parents oversee teens would be effective since several teens establish secret accounts anyway.
Source: Web
He said that he also believes that the platform should withdraw its Instagram project for kids. Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who directs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competition Policy, told Bash in an interview on Sunday that it is time to update the privacy laws of children and offer additional transparency in the use of algorithms. Further, he added that he is willing to discuss things, but the time for the conversation is ok. Klobuchar said that the time for action is now.
Read Also: Lawmakers Again Demanded Facebook Abandon Plans for Insta Kids
