Warnings from researchers and new government action
Mohan’s comments land amid intensifying warnings from academics and public-health advocates about excessive time spent on smartphones and social networks. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University and author of The Anxious Generation, has long advised that children avoid smartphones before age 14 and stay off social media entirely until at least 16. In an interview with CNBC earlier this year, Haidt described the smartphone as “a multi-purpose device by which the world can get to your children,” emphasizing the need for stricter guardrails. (The CNBC interview can be read here.)
Governments are also stepping in. This week, Australia became the first nation to formally block users under 16 from accessing major social-media services. The measure followed a YouGov survey showing that 77 % of Australians supported the age-based restriction. Although the law has entered force, authorities are confronting logistical challenges in implementation and pushback from some quarters.
Other tech leaders adopt similar household policies
Several high-profile figures in the technology sector have disclosed comparable strategies for managing their children’s online activities:
- Susan Wojcicki – YouTube’s former CEO said in 2019 that her children could view content only through the YouTube Kids app and for limited periods, arguing that “too much of anything is not a good thing.”
- Bill Gates – Microsoft’s co-founder has explained publicly that his three children were not given mobile phones until they turned 14. Gates also bans phones at the dinner table to encourage face-to-face conversation.
- Mark Cuban – The billionaire investor has described installing Cisco routers and specialized management software to track which apps his children used and to cut off access when necessary.
The convergence of opinions among executives whose companies profit from digital engagement highlights a widening recognition of potential downsides for younger users. While none of the leaders advocate a complete ban on technology, all emphasize controlled exposure and parental involvement.
YouTube’s evolving parental controls
YouTube Kids, launched nine years ago, offers curated playlists, time-limit tools and content filters designed for viewers under 13. Mohan said continued refinements aim to address diverse family preferences, acknowledging that “every parent has a different approach.” The platform’s broader suite of controls allows guardians to block specific channels, set bedtimes and review watch histories, features intended to counter worries about inappropriate content or addictive usage patterns.
The company’s stance reflects a balancing act between encouraging audience growth and responding to public scrutiny over child safety online. By spotlighting his own household rules, Mohan seeks to demonstrate alignment with families struggling to manage unfiltered digital access.
Growing momentum for age restrictions
Advocacy groups and policymakers worldwide are debating stricter age verification and time-limit regulations. Proposals range from mandatory identity checks to default nighttime shutdowns for minors’ accounts. Supporters argue that such measures are needed to safeguard mental health, while critics warn of privacy trade-offs and technical hurdles.
Although the United States has not enacted a nationwide age cutoff, several states are considering legislation modeled on Australia’s new law. The discussion has gained visibility as evidence mounts linking heavy social-media use with anxiety, depression and sleep disruption among adolescents.
Tech executives’ personal decisions may lend momentum to these efforts, signaling industry acknowledgement that younger users require additional protection. Whether through corporate product changes, household policies or government mandates, the push to recalibrate children’s relationship with social media shows no sign of abating.
Crédito da imagem: Getty Images
