Pinterest CEO urges governments to restrict social media access for users under 16

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has called on governments to introduce restrictions to prevent users under 16 from accessing social media platforms, in a recent opinion piece published in Time.

Ready is a time group of major technology leaders advocating for such measures as countries around the world explore or implement policies to limit children’s social media use and determine how age verification should be handled.

In his commentary, Ready described the current digital environment as a large-scale, ongoing social experiment, noting that young people have been granted widespread, largely unrestricted access to social platforms. He pointed to research suggesting that this level of exposure has contributed to rising rates of depression, anxiety, and reduced attention spans among younger users.

He argued that social media companies did not adequately consider the potential long-term effects their platforms could have on children. At the same Time, he expressed concern for Australia’s decision to introduce a ban on social media use for minors, suggesting that other governments should take similar steps if technology companies fail to prioritise the safety of younger audiences.

Ready also compared the situation to regulatory frameworks in industries such as tobacco and alcohol, emphasising that well-designed restrictions in those sectors have helped protect public health and, in some cases, save lives.

He noted that Pinterest itself has taken steps in this direction by limiting access to certain social features for users under 16, while still maintaining strong engagement with younger audiences, particularly members of Generation Z.

In his remarks, Ready criticised the broader technology industry for resisting stronger protections, suggesting that its reluctance to act in the public interest echoes past behaviour in other industries that faced scrutiny for harmful effects.

Beyond Australia, several countries have already announced or are considering similar restrictions. Malaysia, Spain, and Indonesia have introduced measures targeting social media use among minors. In Europe, lawmakers in France have approved a ban affecting users under the age of 15, while Germany’s ruling party has expressed support for comparable policies. In the United States, individual states are also examining ways to limit minors’ access to social media platforms, contributing to an ongoing global debate about how best to balance technological innovation with the well-being of younger users.