Snapchat CEO Criticizes Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban

Snapchat Chief Calls Law “Flawed”

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has spoken out against Australia’s new restrictions on teens using access to social media.

In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times, Spiegel said the approach is misguided and may be unsafe for teenagers online.

Australia recently introduced tighter age limits for social media use. Other countries are now considering similar steps. If more regulators follow, Snapchat could lose millions of young users worldwide.

Spiegel argues that the law does not address the deeper risks of online exposure. He points to “clear gaps” in the policy.

He warned that the ban’s downside may become more visible over time. By simply complying with the law cannot guarantee better protection.

Teens May Move to Less Safe Platforms

One of Spiegel’s main concerns is that the ban targets only certain platforms. He believes this could push teenagers toward smaller or less regulated apps. These will bring weaker safety tools and fewer protections.

Supporters of the ban hope it will reduce screen time. They also think that it will encourage healthier habits.

But Spiegel thinks that the internet is chiefly the way most young people connect. If teens are blocked from one app, they will find another.

He also questioned the reliability of age verification technology. Current tools are far from perfect. That makes enforcement difficult for both governments and platforms.

Spiegel added that research on the harms of social media remains mixed. Some studies suggest that many teenagers benefit from online interaction and community.

Instead of absolute bans, Spiegel suggested focusing on digital literacy. Teaching young users how to navigate online spaces safely. This could build long-term resilience.

If restrictions are introduced, he argued, they should be applied at the app store level to ensure consistent enforcement across platforms.