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Messenger Kids Advocates Were Facebook-Funded (fastcompany.com)

Posted by msmash on from the real-low dept.

Fast Company: Facebook unveiled this kid-friendly version of its signature messaging service in December, while the YouTube Kids scandal was in full swing. Messenger Kids, Facebook said, had been designed to serve as a "fun, safer solution" for family communications. It would be available for children as young as 6, the company said. To forestall criticism, Facebook asserted that the app had been developed alongside thousands of parents and a dozen expert advisors. But it looks like many of those outside experts were funded with Facebook dollars. According to Wired, "At least seven members of Facebook 13-person advisory board have some kind of financial tie to the company." Those advisors include the National PTA, Blue Star Families, Connect Safely, and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

4 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Considering the false grassroots campaigns used by H3lldr0p · · Score: 2

    throughout lobbying, this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. There are no depths to which those versed in averace will not sink in order to satiate their perverse desires. If it means having to prop up puppet groups, just like the far right has done numerous times, in order to find such "family friendly" advocates then let them. Let them do it so we can mock them and point out their lack of clothes.

    It's that second part which is more important. There is no pity to spend here. Mocking laughter is the only cure for this ailment.

  2. Religious Indoctrination? by mario6915 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Get 'em while they are young right Zuck? Fucking child-manipulating piece of shit.

  3. The title of the Wired article is misleading by Jaguar777 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Halfway through the article the author says they were unable to find any bias caused by the funding.

    Funding from Facebook may not have affected the feedback or research around Messenger Kids. The Facebook advisers who spoke to WIRED offered thoughtful perspectives, based on personal experience or supported by research.

    The title of the article could have just as easily been "Facebook Sought Expert Review for Messenger Kids"

    --
    Maybe you should educate the morons of tomorrow so they'll stop believing the leaders of tomorrow. - Dogbert
  4. I am SHOCKED ... by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 2

    I am shocked, SHOCKED, to find astroturfing going on in this establishment.

    {Your biased expert findings, sir.}

    Thank you.