Child experts numbering over 100 have called on Facebook to withdraw an app it created which is aimed at kids under 13 years of age.
In an open letter to Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg, the experts described the Messenger Kids an "irresponsible" attempt to encourage young children to use Facebook.
The letter signed by a range of child welfare groups including; Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, argued that, Young children are not prepared to have social media accounts.
"Messenger Kids will likely be the first social media platform widely used by elementary school children (four- to -11-year-olds)," the letter said.
"But a growing body of research demonstrates that excessive use of digital devices and social media is harmful to children and teens, making it very likely this new app will undermine children's healthy development.
"Younger children are simply not ready to have social media accounts.
"They are not old enough to navigate the complexities of online relationships, which often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts even among more mature users."
Facebook explains that the app was designed with online safety experts in response to parental calls for more control over how their children used social media.
It is a simplified, locked-down version of Facebook's Messenger app, requiring parental approval before use, and data generated from it is not used for advertising.
"Since we launched in December we've heard from parents around the country that Messenger Kids has helped them stay in touch with their children and has enabled their children to stay in touch with family members near and far." Facebook postulated.
"For example, we've heard stories of parents working night shifts being able to read bedtime stories to their children, and mums who travel for work getting daily updates from their kids while they're away."
The letter also cites a range of research linking teenagers' social media use with increased depression and anxiety.
"Eighth graders (13- to 14-year-olds) who use social media for six to nine hours per week are 47% more likely to report they are unhappy than their peers who use social media less often."
The experts also disputed Facebook's claims that Messenger Kids provides a safe alternative for children who have lied their way on to social media platforms, by pretending to be older than they are.
"The 11- and 12-year-olds who currently use Snapchat, Instagram, or Facebook are unlikely to switch to an app that is clearly designed for younger children. "
"Messenger Kids is not responding to a need, it is creating one," the letter states.
