Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has called on governments to ban social media use for teenagers under the age of 16. He shared the proposal in a public message on LinkedIn and urged policymakers to introduce stronger protections for young people online.

Ready argued that governments should establish a clear national or global rule that prevents younger teenagers from accessing social media platforms. He also said companies responsible for mobile operating systems and app stores should help enforce the restriction.

“We need a clear standard: no social media for teens under 16,” Ready wrote in his public message.

According to Ready, strong policies could help reduce risks faced by young people who spend large amounts of time on social media platforms.

⚖️ Debate Intensifies Over Youth and Social Media

Concerns about the impact of social media on teenagers have grown in recent years. Researchers and policymakers have increasingly examined mental health challenges linked to online platforms.

Technology companies now face stronger scrutiny from regulators. Governments in several countries are exploring policies aimed at improving online safety for younger users.

Meanwhile, a major trial in Los Angeles is examining allegations that technology companies contributed to a youth mental-health crisis through their social media platforms. The lawsuit involves companies such as Google and Meta.

The legal case has intensified discussions about whether governments should introduce stricter rules for digital platforms used by teenagers.

As a result, policymakers are increasingly evaluating how to balance technological innovation with stronger safety protections.

🌏 Australia’s Policy Highlighted as Example

Ready pointed to Australia’s decision to ban social media for users under 16 as a possible model for other countries. He said similar policies could help protect teenagers from potential harms linked to excessive social media use.

However, he also noted that enforcing such restrictions would require cooperation between several groups. Governments, technology companies, and mobile-device providers would all need to work together to implement the policy effectively.

Therefore, the issue extends beyond social media platforms themselves and involves the broader digital ecosystem.

📊 Technology Companies Face Growing Pressure

Social media platforms continue to face growing pressure from governments and regulators around the world. Authorities are examining issues such as age verification, parental controls, and platform accountability.

Many lawmakers argue that technology companies must take stronger responsibility for protecting younger users. At the same time, digital platforms continue expanding services aimed at teenagers and younger audiences.

Consequently, the debate about youth access to social media is expected to remain a major topic for policymakers and technology leaders.

As governments consider possible regulations, industry executives, researchers, and advocacy groups will likely continue contributing to the discussion about online safety.