Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has publicly called on governments worldwide to ban social media access for individuals under 16 years old. Ready made his appeal on Friday, March 20, 2026, in a detailed essay published in Time Magazine and a LinkedIn post. He framed his stance as both a professional necessity and a personal conviction, citing significant concerns about the mental health and well-being of young people.[timesofindia+2]
A Call for Government Action
Ready likened current tech executives to 20th-century tobacco industry leaders, labeling social media as the "New Big Tobacco."He argued that social media platforms, as they are currently designed, prioritize maximizing user engagement and view time over the safety of young users.This design, he stated, has dire consequences for children.[timesofindia+6]
"Social media, as it's configured today, is not safe for young people under 16," Ready wrote.He added that these platforms keep children "glued to a screen with little regard for their well-being."Ready pointed to a clear outcome: a rise in anxiety and depression among young people, coupled with eroding concentration and classrooms struggling for student attention.[timesofindia+5]
The Pinterest CEO emphasized that the tech industry has had many years to address these harms through self-regulation but has consistently failed."The time for self-regulation has passed," Ready declared, advocating for governments to intervene with clear standards and enforcement.He stressed the need for accountability for both mobile phone operating systems and the applications running on them.[timesofindia+5]
Australia's Model and Global Pressure
Ready highlighted Australia's recent legislation banning social media for users under 16 as a model for other countries to follow.Australia passed its landmark law last year, becoming one of the first nations to impose a hard age restriction for minors on social media.This move has set a precedent, with other countries now exploring similar legislative actions.[timesofindia+5]
Interestingly, under the terms of Australia's ban, teens under 16 are still permitted to create Pinterest accounts.This distinction gives Pinterest a "regulatory edge" compared to larger rivals such as Instagram when attracting younger users.Pinterest's own platform in the U.S. currently allows users to sign up at age 13.However, Ready noted that Pinterest has already removed all social features for its users under 16, a change he said did not negatively impact the platform.[theguardian+4]
Ready's call comes amid increasing scrutiny on major tech companies globally. A high-profile trial is currently underway in Los Angeles, where Google and Meta face allegations that their apps are intentionally designed to be addictive and contribute to a youth mental health crisis.The jury in this case is currently deliberating a verdict.Beyond Australia, countries like the UK, Spain, and France have also considered similar actions to restrict social media access for minors.In India, state governments in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have begun taking steps to regulate children's access to social media, with one state considering a ban for those under 16 and another for under 13.[theguardian+6]
The Broader Debate on Youth and Tech
Ready described the current generation of children as living through "the largest social experiment in history."He argued that this experiment, conducted on a massive scale, lacked sufficient foresight regarding its potential consequences.These consequences include exposing young people to unknown strangers and fueling screen addictions.[timesofindia+5]
Ready emphasized the urgent need for clearer rules, improved tools for parents, and stronger accountability across the entire tech ecosystem.He drew parallels to existing age limits for activities like driving, smoking, and consuming alcohol, acknowledging that while such rules are imperfect, they are set because they can significantly improve and even save lives.He believes similar decisive action is necessary to protect children online.[timesofindia+4]
The Pinterest CEO concluded by stressing that the cost of inaction is too high, potentially leading to a generation overwhelmed by anxiety and depression.He urged policymakers to give children the opportunity to develop without the pressures of social media before they face consequential choices that can impact their well-being.Ready's strong stance marks a significant departure from the typical positions of other major technology leaders, highlighting growing pressure on the industry to address the impacts of its products on younger audiences.[mashable+5]
