Instagram Chief Mosseri Rebuffs State AGs Opposing Kids Version of App

Instagram head Adam Mosseri hit back at state attorneys-general who criticized a planned children’s version of the app, saying “there are things governments could do to help that are probably more helpful than writing a letter.”

Earlier this month, a group of 44 state attorneys-general penned an open letter urging Instagram to abandon plans for a version of the app for children under 13. But in an interview with The Information, Mosseri made clear Instagram was continuing with its plans, while noting it would take a long time for a kids app to be introduced. “I have to believe that it is better for everyone involved to give parents oversight and transparency and control into kids using Instagram than to pretend like they’re not lying about their age today,” he said.

Dealing with the issue needs to come from legislatures, he noted, adding that “attorney generals’ responsibility is primarily to enforce law, not to write law. So, I'm not trying to tell them this is on them, but I think there's lots of things governments can do to help.” His comments were the most extensive made by an Instagram executive since the open letter from the state attorneys-general.