Facebook introduces new control function for children

This is how Facebook reacts to the criticism
New control functions for children – critics are skeptical

Even the youngest have their own smartphone today.

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More effective protection for children? This is what the new Facebook features are supposed to offer. Critics find the new concepts too vague;

First Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp were completely down, then the mega-company had to face tough allegations from former employee Frances Haugen. She accused Facebook of contributing to dividing society and making young girls and women feel like they are not enough. In addition, Facebook is said to have been aware that Instagram is damaging the mental health of some teenagers – the company has not yet taken action.

Facebook introduces features for child safety

During her time at Facebook she observed again and again that the company put its own “astronomical” profit above the common good. She is certain: “Facebook can change”, but it needs pressure, supervision and an external control function. The company shouldn’t remain a black box.

Facebook now appears to be responding to the allegations. The tech giant’s vice president, Nick Clegg, presented the new features on two US talk shows. Among other things, the pause function “Take a Break” is to be introduced on Instagram. In a CNN interview, Clegg said, “We’re going to encourage teenagers to just take a break from using Instagram.”

Facebook wants to encourage children and young people to view other content

In addition, Instagram will ask children to view other content. Children and young people should be kept away from “bad content”. The classification of which content “may not be beneficial” is what Facebook undertakes after initial information.

Parents should also be able to take on a control function. The innovations are too vague for critics. The parents’ control usually only relates to one account. It is therefore easy for children to avoid this “surveillance” – they simply have to create a new account.

So far there is no time when the features will be released

Clegg did not announce a time for the release of the features. The functions are currently “not yet tested”. This will happen “soon”. Although Facebook is reacting to the allegations of the former employee, it remains true to the previous black box approach. The introduced functions are controlled internally, external monitoring is not planned.

Sources used: Zeit.de, basicthinking.de

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