In reaction to the Australian government’s prohibition on social media for minors under 16, various governments around the globe are contemplating similar actions. Interestingly, Pinterest’s CEO Bill Ready is in favor of such restrictions. In a Time article, Ready champions governmental controls on social media for users beneath the age of 16, pointing to the detrimental effects on children such as interaction with strangers, addiction to screens, anxiety, depression, and diminished focus.

Ready condemns tech firms for valuing engagement time over the health of children, likening them to former executives in the tobacco sector. While Pinterest permits users as young as 13, it has eliminated social features for those under 16, making accounts private and limiting contact with strangers. This adjustment has not dissuaded younger users, as Gen Z now makes up more than 50% of Pinterest’s audience.

Ready calls on tech companies to put children’s safety first to steer clear of government interventions and is in favor of the U.S. App Store Accountability Act, which would necessitate age verification for app downloads. He underscores the requirement for more explicit regulations, improved parental controls, and enhanced accountability from platforms to avert a generation burdened with anxiety and depression.