Instagram says it’s “pausing” improvement of what’s been dubbed “Instagram Kids” — a model of the photo-sharing app aimed toward youngsters below 13. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri introduced the information in a blog post at present, saying that the Facebook-owned firm would proceed to work on parental-supervised experiences for youthful customers.

In a weblog put up and collection of accompanying tweets, Mosseri blames the media and critics for misunderstanding the aim of the app. “It was never meant for younger kids, but for tweens (aged 10-12),” he writes. In a separate tweet, he provides that information of the undertaking “leaked way before we knew what it would be. People feared the worst, and we had few answers at that stage. It’s clear we need to take more time on this.”

Pausing improvement of the app comes after The Wall Street Journal printed a series of damning reports into Facebook final week. These included a story revealing how Instagram’s personal inner analysis advised that the app made physique points worse for teenage ladies. Facebook says these studies mischaracterized the corporate’s research, however has up to now refused to launch its knowledge firsthand for critics and supporters alike to research.

In his weblog put up, Mosseri notes that the WSJ’s reporting “raised a lot of questions for people,” and says such criticism has led Instagram to introducing a lot of anti-bullying options, in addition to “exploring” options which may encourage readers to take a break from the app. (Parts of the WSJ’s reporting that Instagram and Mosseri have ignored embody the corporate’s personal researchers noting that customers usually really feel “addicted” to the app.)

The improvement of a model of Instagram aimed toward youthful customers was widely criticized by a lot of teams. Facebook responded to this criticism by saying younger individuals had been already lively on-line and it was higher that their expertise be supervised. The firm additionally stated it wouldn’t present promoting on the brand new app. However, critics weren’t satisfied.

“Facebook claims that creating an Instagram for kids will help keep them safe on the platform,” Kathryn Montgomery, a senior strategist on the Center for Digital Democracy, told BBC News in April. “The company’s real goal is to expand its lucrative and highly profitable Instagram franchise to an even younger demographic, introducing children to a powerful commercialized social media environment that poses serious threats to their privacy, health and wellbeing.”

Mosseri notes on Twitter that critics will see Instagram pausing improvement of the youngsters app “as a concession that the project is a bad idea.” He’s adamant that is incorrect, including: “I have to believe parents would prefer the option for their children to use an age-appropriate version of Instagram – that gives them oversight – than the alternative. But I’m not here to downplay their concerns, we have to get this right.”