YouTube CEO joins tech leaders limiting kids' social media use
What's the story
YouTube's CEO Neal Mohan has joined a growing list of tech industry leaders who are limiting their children's social media usage. The move comes as the negative effects of online exposure on young people become more apparent. Mohan, who took over YouTube's leadership in 2023, recently spoke about the issue in an interview with Time Magazine.
Parental control
Mohan's approach to managing children's media consumption
Mohan revealed that he and his wife manage their children's use of media platforms, including YouTube. "We do limit their time on YouTube and other platforms and other forms of media," he said. The couple is stricter during weekdays but less so on weekends. He believes in the principle of "everything in moderation" when it comes to online services and platforms for their three children: two sons and a daughter.
Expert advice
Experts warn against excessive smartphone and social media use
Experts have long warned about the negative impact of excessive smartphone and social media use on children and teenagers. NYU professor Jonathan Haidt, who authored The Anxious Generation, recommends that kids shouldn't get smartphones before 14 and access to social media before 16. He said, "Let them have a flip phone, but remember, a smartphone isn't really a phone. They could make phone calls on it, but it's a multi-purpose device by which the world can get to your children."
Legislative action
Australia leads in restricting social media access for minors
This week, Australia became the first country to officially ban users under 16 from accessing major social media platforms. A YouGov survey before the legislation's passage last year showed that 77% of Australians supported the under-16 social media ban. Despite some pushback since its implementation, it marks a significant step toward protecting young people from potential online harm.
Platform responsibility
Mohan's commitment to parental control on YouTube
In a detailed interview with Time, Mohan expressed his "paramount responsibility" toward young people and his commitment to giving parents more control over their kids' use of the platform. He said he wants "to make it easy for all parents" to manage their children's YouTube usage "in a way that is suitable to their household." This is especially important as every parent has a different approach when it comes to regulating online content for their children.
Industry trend
Other tech leaders also limit their children's social media use
Mohan isn't the only one in the tech industry who limits their children's social media use. Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki also restricted her kids' access to videos on the app, except for YouTube Kids. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates didn't give his kids cell phones until they were teens and billionaire Mark Cuban even went as far as installing Cisco routers and management software to monitor his kids' app usage and cut off their phone access.