A new platform designed specifically for children, myFirst Circle, was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, aiming to redefine social media while prioritizing safety. As children increasingly engage with adult-oriented applications like Instagram and TikTok, concerns over their mental health and exposure to online risks grow. A recent poll by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital revealed that 32% of parents with children aged 7–9 reported their children used social media, with that figure rising to 49% for those aged 10–12.
myFirst, a global technology company focusing on children’s needs, developed myFirst Circle to address these issues. Unlike existing platforms that simply add parental controls to adult applications, myFirst Circle is built entirely for children, integrating safety into its core design. Founder and CEO G-Jay Yong emphasized, “We created myFirst Circle because no platform currently allows children to have authentic social engagements in a fully controlled, safe environment.”
The platform features a “Contact List” system, allowing children to connect with approved contacts for voice and video calls, as well as messaging. Parents are empowered to manage their child’s social network by classifying contacts into categories such as family, best friends, and acquaintances. This structured approach mirrors natural social development, encouraging children to expand their relationships under parental oversight.
Importantly, myFirst Circle does not rely on traditional phone numbers for communication, enhancing privacy for young users. The platform replaces the conventional “Like” feature with a “ShoutOut” system, promoting meaningful interactions instead of the dopamine-driven metrics that can contribute to anxiety and depression among youth.
Connecting seamlessly with myFirst’s range of children’s devices, including the myFirst Fone R2 smartwatch and digital cameras, myFirst Circle creates a comprehensive ecosystem for safe sharing and communication. This interconnectedness extends to family members, allowing grandparents to receive photo updates through myFirst’s digital photo frames, thereby fostering family engagement.
One of the standout features of myFirst Circle is its closed ecosystem, which eliminates links to external social platforms. This approach significantly reduces the risk of children encountering inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or predatory behavior. By reimagining social networking, myFirst Circle emphasizes a proactive stance on children’s safety instead of merely restricting access to adult platforms.
Yong noted, “The fundamental problem with mainstream social media is that it was built for adults and later adapted, often poorly, for younger users.” In contrast, myFirst Circle starts with the developmental needs of children, aligning with emerging regulatory frameworks like the UK’s Children’s Code and the EU’s Digital Services Act. These regulations advocate for child-friendly design standards, promoting environments conducive to children’s well-being.
Despite its innovative framework, myFirst Circle faces challenges in capturing the attention of children who are naturally drawn to popular platforms used by their older siblings and parents. Additionally, the effectiveness of its “walled garden” approach hinges on consistent parental involvement, which may not be equally accessible across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
As digital technology becomes increasingly integral to childhood development, the discourse is shifting towards how social media can support healthy growth while minimizing risks. myFirst Circle offers a vision for the future: a platform where digital literacy and social skills can flourish within a landscape built for safety and development.
For parents navigating the complexities of children’s engagement with social media, myFirst Circle presents an alternative pathway. It emphasizes the importance of design choices and parental guidance in fostering a healthier introduction to the digital world.
