Pinterest Chief Executive Officer Bill Ready has called for governments to prohibit social media use for children under 16, arguing that the industry has not done enough to safeguard young users.
Writing in Time, Ready described children’s exposure to social media as a large-scale, ongoing experiment with increasingly visible consequences. He pointed to rising levels of anxiety, reduced attention spans, and growing mental health concerns among young users as signs of deeper structural issues in how platforms are designed.
Ready said many social media services are built to maximise engagement, often at the cost of user well-being. He also flagged emerging risks tied to the integration of artificial intelligence tools into social platforms, warning that such systems could influence behaviour and emotions among users who may not yet have the maturity to navigate them.
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Citing regulatory precedents in areas such as driving, alcohol, and tobacco, Ready argued that age-based restrictions, even if imperfect, can help reduce harm. He said governments may need to intervene if technology companies fail to introduce meaningful safeguards on their own.
The comments come as countries explore different approaches to youth safety online. Australia has already moved to restrict access to social media for users under 16, while several European nations are considering similar steps. In contrast, policymakers in the United States have focused on measures such as app store-based age verification.
Ready acknowledged that social media can offer connection and community, but said these benefits are often accompanied by risks such as exposure to harmful content, online harassment, and pressure linked to constant comparison. He argued that stronger safeguards, rather than maintaining the status quo, are needed to address these concerns.
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He also pointed to changes made within Pinterest, including limiting social features for younger users and making under-16 accounts private, as an example of how platforms can prioritise safety without losing engagement.
Concluding his argument, Ready said the industry has had sufficient time to address these issues through self-regulation, and that clearer rules, better parental controls, and stronger accountability mechanisms are now required.
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