Kuddle is a new Instagram-like app for children

Did you know that there is an Instagram for kids? It’s called Kuddle, and the photo-sharing application was designed by developers in Norway who built the thing with the noblest of intentions. It’s designed, first and foremost, to teach kids manners and discourage online bullying. Investors seem to be keen on the idea, too. Reuters reports that the company raised $2 million in funding recently and is about to raise $8 million more, the bulk of which will be used to make a major push in the United States market before the year’s end. By that time it could exceed upward of a million users. “We are very happy with the growth so far,” founder and chairwoman Kathryn Baker tells Reuters. “We have had an average daily growth of 10 to 15 percent and the uptake has been great.” The major difference between Kuddle and other photo-sharing apps is it’s heavily fortified with built-in safeguards. Not just anyone can sign up: When you first create your login, you’re prompted to provide the name and email of a parent or guardian over 18, who can monitor your activity. (Hi, Rose!) Until they register, none of your photos are visible. When you first join you only have one friend: Someone named Kodi Kuddle–apparently the service’s version of MySpace Tom–who by the looks of it has a natural knack for photography.