Bill Ready, chief executive of Pinterest, a US-based image-sharing platform owned by Match Group, has called for a ban on social media use for people under the age of 16, stating that existing industry efforts to regulate platforms have not been effective.
In a published statement, Ready said governments should introduce clear rules preventing younger users from accessing social media services if companies fail to address safety concerns. He pointed to legislation in Australia, which restricts access for under-16s, as an example that other countries could follow.
Ready stated that the technology sector has had several years to implement safeguards for younger users, but has not delivered consistent results. He said that relying on companies to manage risks internally has not led to sufficient changes in how platforms operate.
The proposal includes requirements for enforcement and accountability across both applications and the mobile operating systems that support them. Ready said any restrictions should be supported by mechanisms to verify age and ensure compliance by service providers.
The position differs from that of several large technology companies, which have argued against blanket restrictions and instead supported measures such as parental controls and platform-level safety tools. The issue is also being examined in legal and regulatory settings, including ongoing court cases in the United States related to the impact of social media use among younger audiences.
Pinterest currently allows users aged 13 and older to create accounts in some regions. The company has introduced additional restrictions for younger users, including default private settings and limits on interaction features.
The call for a ban reflects increasing regulatory attention on how social media platforms manage access for minors and how responsibility is shared between companies and governments.