The Scoop: Pinterest CEO writes op-ed advocating for under-16 social media ban

Plus: Air Canada’s response to crash tragedy; Samsung refrigerators now show ads — and some customers are mad.

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready has taken a clear and unequivocal stance: Governments should prohibit social media use by children under 16.

“Our industry has had years to mitigate these harms, but has time and again failed,” Ready wrote in an op-ed published in Time. “The time for self-regulation has passed, and if tech companies don’t change, then the path should be obvious to lawmakers. We need a clear standard: no social media for teens under 16, backed by real enforcement, and accountability for mobile phone operating systems and the apps that run on them.”

Ready draws a clear distinction with his fellow social media CEOs. He notes, “Most of my fellow tech CEOs dismissed Australia’s ban.” He even called out Snap CEO Evan Spiegel (though not by name) for his FT op-ed calling the bans “premature and performative.”

The op-ed anticipates pushback and proactively responds to it. Some might think that Pinterest isn’t exactly a hotbed of under-16 use compared to apps like Snapchat or TikTok. But Ready notes the platform has already taken protective measures for children — and has seen spiking usage in its wake.

“When Pinterest removed social features for teens and made every account under 16 private — meaning no discoverability, messaging, likes, or comments from strangers — people said we’d lose the next generation of users. But Gen Z says the opposite. Today, they make up over 50% of our users. Our experience shows that prioritizing safety and well-being doesn’t push young people away; it builds trust.”

Why it matters: A CEO explicitly calling for clear regulation of his industry is a fairly extraordinary step — especially when that regulation would definitionally reduce the number of users and make it trickier to build the next generation of fans.

Regardless of your thoughts on the substance of the opinion piece, it’s a well-crafted example of the genre. Ready is crystal clear in his position and his demand. He evokes his expertise not just as a tech CEO, but also as a father. It’s well-researched, full of data and includes supporting links. He calls out those who disagree with him, though he avoids using specific names, which keeps it from seeming petty.

The piece also frames the request as beneficial not only for children and society, but also as good for business — something CEOs must always keep in mind. By doubling down on the importance of building trust with the next generation of users, even if that means telling them they can’t use the service quite yet, he and his PR team built a case that balanced societal good with the bottom line. And while the letter didn’t have a monumental impact on stock price, it’s seen a small bump of about 1% since the letter was released on Friday.

Editor’s Top Reads:

• LaGuardia Airport is reeling from a tragic accident where a fire truck collided with an Air Canada jet, killing the pilot and copilot and sending 41 passengers and crew to the hospital. Initial reports indicate the tragedy was caused by conflicting instructions from air traffic controllers. As of Monday morning, Air Canada’s website had changed to a funereal black. On the homepage, above the ubiquitous box to purchase tickets, the page reads: “Our deepest condolences” and offers more information on the crash. There, in English and French, the airline offers empathetic statements, a phone number for friends and family of those on the flight to call, and a link to a page with the latest press releases and media updates. This is a contingency every airline will have planned for. But Air Canada’s is covered with class, grace and true utility to both those impacted and the media covering the story. It will also help reduce the workload on their media relations team — a boon in a trying time. All the best to everyone navigating this tragedy.
• Sometimes, advertising can become a PR liability. In this case, it’s not due to the content of ads — but the fact that they’re appearing on people’s refrigerators. The Wall Street Journal reports that some owners of Samsung refrigerators are peeved that they’ve been included in a trial of advertisements showing up on their smart fridge screens. “I think it’s rude for them to add something without my consent after the sale,” said Tim Yoder, the owner of a $1,400 refrigerator that now shows him ads for Tide. Samsung told the Journal that the pilot has received negligible pushback and that the opt-out rate for the ads remains low — though that assumes fridge owners know opting out is an option. And some owners noted that while they can opt out, they lose access to other features if they do so. These advertising deals likely represent a lucrative potential revenue stream for Samsung — but at what cost to consumer trust? Transparency about what you’re buying, what you’re opting into and how to opt out are key. In an attempt to gain a new revenue source, Samsung may find itself alienating people who just want a fridge — and they’ve certainly gained some bad PR in the process.
• The latest round of layoffs at CBS News has claimed the broadcaster’s famed radio division. Following on the heels of last year’s layoff of 100 people, now 60 will be laid off from CBS News, representing 6% of the remaining staff. “Certain parts of this newsroom need to get smaller in order for us to make room for the things that we need to build to remain competitive in the future,” wrote Editor in Chief Bari Weiss. Reports indicate that the radio arm of the network only generated $67,000 in revenue in January, leading to its shuttering. While it’s perhaps not surprising to see the closure of a radio operation, it’s nonetheless another blow to traditional, legacy media and closes yet another potential method of communicating with audiences for PR professionals.

Allison Carter is editorial director of PR Daily and Ragan.com. Follow her on LinkedIn.

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