Pinterest CEO calls on governments to ban social media for users under 16

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has publicly called for governments to ban social media for users under 16, arguing in a TIME op‑ed that children are being subjected to “the largest social experiment in history.” He cites research linking unrestricted social media access to rising depression, anxiety, and attention problems among youth. Ready praises Australia’s recent ban and urges other governments to follow if tech companies fail to prioritize safety. He compares tech leaders resisting regulation to “20th‑century tobacco executives,” noting that Pinterest itself restricts social features for users under 16 and still thrives with Gen Z. Several countries — including Malaysia, Spain, Indonesia, and France — are already moving toward similar bans, and US states are exploring restrictions as well.

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