YouTube CEO Neal Mohan Advocates for Limited Social Media Use Among Children

Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube, has joined a growing number of technology executives who are advocating for restricted social media use among children, reflecting increasing concerns about the negative impacts of online platforms on youth.

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Neal Mohan, who became YouTube's CEO in 2023 and was recently named Time's 2025 CEO of the Year, has publicly shared his family's approach to managing social media use. He emphasizes moderation, stating, "We do limit their time on YouTube and other platforms and other forms of media." Mohan's perspective aligns with that of experts like Jonathan Haidt, a professor at New York University, who argues for delaying smartphone access until age 14 and social media until age 16.

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Concerns regarding the effects of social media on children have intensified in recent years. Experts warn that excessive use can lead to various mental health issues, prompting discussions about the appropriate age for children to engage with these platforms. In a notable legislative move, Australia recently became the first country to prohibit users under 16 from accessing major social media sites, although this law has encountered some opposition.

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Mohan has expressed a "paramount responsibility" to protect young users and aims to empower parents with tools to manage their children's online activities. He noted that YouTube Kids, launched in 2015, was designed to provide a safer environment for younger audiences. His goal is to facilitate parental control in a manner that accommodates diverse family values and practices.

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Despite the push for moderation, some critics argue that these measures may not be sufficient to address the broader issues associated with social media use among children. There are concerns that simply limiting access does not tackle the underlying problems of content exposure and the addictive nature of these platforms.

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• “We do limit their time on YouTube and other platforms and other forms of media. On weekdays we tend to be more strict, on weekends we tend to be less so. We're not perfect by any stretch,” — Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube

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• “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,” — Jonathan Haidt, NYU Professor

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As discussions around children's social media use continue, further developments in legislation and parental control tools are anticipated. Mohan's commitment to enhancing parental guidance on YouTube may lead to new features aimed at fostering safer online experiences for children.

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