JAKARTA - Pinterest CEO, Bill Ready, called on world leaders to implement a ban on the use of social media for teenagers under the age of 16. This appeal was made through a post on LinkedIn, amid growing global concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of children and adolescents.
In his statement, Ready emphasized the need for firm standards and real enforcement. "We need clear rules: no social media for teenagers under 16 years old, with strong enforcement and accountability from mobile phone operating systems and applications that run on it," he wrote.
He also pointed to policies in Australia as a model that could be adopted globally. The country has already implemented restrictions on access to social media for users under 16 years of age, although the rule does not apply to Pinterest. In the existing policy, teenagers are still allowed to create a Pinterest account, giving it a competitive position compared to other platforms such as Instagram.
In the United States, users must be at least 13 years old to sign up for a Pinterest account, according to the company's policy. However, Ready's statement comes amid increasing pressure on the technology industry, particularly related to child protection in the digital world.
Currently, major tech companies such as Google and Meta are facing lawsuits in Los Angeles. They are accused of designing apps that are addictive for children and adolescents, and contributing to the mental health crisis of the younger generation. The trial is ongoing and the jury is considering the verdict.
Interestingly, Ready's attitude is different from most other leaders of large technology companies who tend to be cautious about strict regulations. This statement also comes at a time when Pinterest has experienced a surge in young users, especially from Gen Z.
Data from research firm Apptopia shows that about a third of Pinterest users are between 17 and 25 years old. In the midst of efforts to expand the young user base, Pinterest's CEO's move is considered a signal that the industry is beginning to recognize the need for stricter limits to maintain the mental health of the digital generation.
The push for tighter regulation reflects a changing landscape of the social media industry, where user growth must now be balanced with social responsibility. For governments in various countries, the pressure to act is increasing - and the debate about the age limit for accessing social media seems to have just entered a more serious phase.
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