Pinterest CEO calls for ban on social media for youth under 16

Bill Ready, chief executive of Pinterest, has called on global leaders to ban social media use for children under the age of 16.

In a post shared on LinkedIn, Ready urged governments to introduce strict rules and enforcement measures.

“We need a clear standard: no social media for teens under 16, backed by real enforcement, and accountability for mobile phone operating systems and the apps that run on them,” he said.

His comments come as a trial in Los Angeles examines the impact of social media on young users, with major tech firms like Google and Meta facing allegations that their platforms contribute to a youth mental health crisis.

Ready pointed to Australia’s policy banning social media use for those under 16 as a model for other nations.

His stance differs from that of many leaders of major tech companies, who are under increasing pressure from regulators and lawmakers to address concerns about how their platforms affect children and teenagers.

Currently, users must be at least 13 years old to create an account on Pinterest in the United States.

In recent years, the platform has also positioned itself as a popular destination for Generation Z users, many of whom fall within the 17 to 25 age group