Instagram launches Parents Guide children's safety initiative in India
What's the story
Facebook-owned social platform Instagram launched a Parents Guide on Monday. The 2021 version of the guide aims to inform parents of the safety features available on the platform. The guide had been rolled out in many countries and was launched in India ahead of Safer Internet Day observed on February 9. The Instagram safety initiative also features inputs from Indian organizations for child safety.
Welcome initiative
Guide aims to help parents safeguard children on Instagram
With Instagram's regular addition of new features the risk of children being cyber bullied and otherwise subjected to unwanted interactions increases significantly. The guide explains measures the platform has taken to block unwanted interactions for businesses, creators, and personal accounts alike. The initiative helping parents to keep tabs on kids' Instagram activities is a welcome move.
Red flags
Conversation Starters help parents identify dangers in kids' Instagram interactions
Instagram India's Public Policy and Community Outreach Manager, Tara Bedi claims that the guide will help parents understand Instagram-specific terms and clue them in on their kids' Instagram activity. The guide features a Conversation Starters section, using which parents can ask their children ten questions to identify any red flags that might indicate danger.
Embracing change
Parents Guide has been updated to discuss newer Instagram features
The Parents Guide familiarizes readers with how the 'Private Account' and 'Hide Offensive Comments' toggles work. It also touches upon how the Activity Dashboard can help children limit the time they spend each day on Instagram. The guide also takes into account new Instagram features such as DM Reachability Controls, Bulk Comment Management, Support Requests and Emails from Instagram.
Common ground
Indian foundations for children's rights and safety among featured contributors
For the uninitiated, DM Reachability Controls allow creator and business accounts to choose who can add them to groups on Instagram Direct. Bulk Comment Management gives people options to delete, block, and restrict comments from multiple accounts. Some of the featured contributors to the guide include Aarambh India Initiative, Young Leaders for Activity Citizenship, Suicide Prevention India Foundation, and It's Ok To Talk.
Hypocrisy?
The real Parents Guide: Zuckerberg, Bill Gates keep kids offline
Interestingly, social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg wants his children to read books and play outside rather than using messaging services such as Messenger Kids. Billionaire Bill Gates also restricts his children's time spent on the internet. The movie The Social Dilemma encapsulates how Big Tech encourages people to spend increasing amounts of time on social media, while they do the exact opposite themselves.