Pinterest CEO Urges Social Media Ban for Under 16

Bill Ready, Pinterest’s chief executive, has called on governments to prohibit social media use by those under 16. He detailed his views in a Time magazine opinion article, writing that stronger rules are needed to protect children online.

Young people today, he said, are living in what he described as the biggest social experiment of all time, because they’ve had unimpeded access to social media platforms throughout their formative years. He cited research that associates heavy social media use with increased anxiety, depression and poor attention among teenagers, increasing concern about harmful content on social media and the need for stronger safety rules.

He said that many technology companies failed to fully consider the long-term impact these platforms might have on kids. He commended Australia for adopting new rules that restrict access to social media for minors and said other countries should weigh similar action if companies fail to address safety issues seriously.

That sounded familiar to Ready, who compared the scenario to tobacco and alcohol industries, in which tough restrictions were imposed once the risks to health became well understood. Such laws can help safeguard young people and at times save lives, he said.

Bill Ready added that Pinterest limited some social features for its users under 16, and that the platform was still popular among younger audiences.

Multiple countries have already announced or discussed limiting the use of social media by minors. Australia has forged ahead with a ban, and Malaysia, Spain, and Indonesia have also discussed such restrictions. In Europe, France has signed off on a rule to restrict access for users younger than 15, and Germany’s ruling party has backed tighter restrictions. Many states in the United States are also exploring how to curb children’s access to social media.