Pinterest is one of the new-age innovators, balancing social media use and education. The company's CEO Bill Ready is advocating for a revolution that promotes the use of Pinterest among teens, but not at school.
As a supporter of "phone-free schools," Ready has aligned Pinterest with an emerging initiative to reduce cellphone distraction in classrooms and create a safer, more positive online environment for young users.
Pinterest Joins the Phone-Free School Movement
A survey conducted recently by the Pew Research Center found that 72% of high school teachers and 33% of middle school educators cited cellphone distractions as an issue.
In response, Pinterest is running pilot programs to help students minimize app use during school hours. This comes in response to a larger national shift—the eight states that have restricted cellphone use in schools, and 15 more are considering it.
Tech CEO Advocating for Digital Well-Being
Ready's stance might sound a little strange for a social media executive, but it is part of the company's long-standing commitment to online safety. California Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal was quite stricter since he wanted a total smartphone ban in schools.
Nearly three years ago, Ready became the company's CEO and focused on building a platform that promotes positive and meaningful interactions.
The leadership of Ready has also aligned Pinterest with the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bill mandating tech platforms to have measures that protect minors from online harms. In addition, Ready has advocated for the development of a national digital ID system that helps in verifying users' ages.
Unique Approach to Social Media by Pinterest
Pinterest is a social media site founded in 2010. The platform has always differentiated itself from other social media companies; it targets a predominantly female population interested in fashion, recipes, and home decor ideas. It is fundamentally different from others that thrive by serving sensational, fast-paced content. It seeks to foster a slower, more uplifting user experience.
A 2024 content strategy report from Sprout Social reveals a bright spot in Pinterest's behavior: According to a panel of social media users surveyed, a majority consider Pinterest the more positive home compared to other platforms. Ready has reaffirmed this reputation by emphasizing that Pinterest is prioritizing "time spent well" over total time spent.
Encouraging Time Well Spent
This is a new feature from Pinterest to minimize app use during school hours, which is an extension of its commitment to responsible digital engagement.
A 2023 Common Sense Media study reported that 97% of 11- to 17-year-olds use their phones during school, averaging 43 minutes of screen time. Pinterest wants to help students focus on their education while still offering an outlet for creativity and inspiration during their downtime.
Betting on Hope, Not Hate
Ready's leadership has made Pinterest a kinder corner of the internet, a platform that prioritizes hope and inspiration over negativity.
"We're betting on hope, not hatred as the driver of engagement," Ready said in a Fast Company interview.
With continuous innovation, the efforts of Pinterest in encouraging healthy habits among its young users and education-focused initiatives could set a new standard for how social media platforms engage with their communities.
