Snapchat CEO Criticizes Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban

Social Media Today

by Andrew Hutchinson

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has criticized Australia’s new social media age restrictions, calling them a flawed approach that fails to address the most significant harms of online exposure. In an opinion piece published in *The Financial Times*, Spiegel argued that such bans are unlikely to improve teen safety and may instead push young users toward less secure platforms. He pointed out that restricting certain apps could force teens to转向危险的替代品, while leaving others unregulated. Spiegel also highlighted the limitations of age estimation technology, which makes enforcement difficult and raises privacy concerns. He suggested that app store-level verification would be a more consistent and effective way to enforce age restrictions across platforms. This approach, he said, would reduce privacy risks and ensure universal compliance. The CEO’s stance is particularly relevant given Snapchat’s popularity among younger audiences. Australia’s new laws have already forced the company to restrict or remove 415,000 teen accounts in the country, a significant blow to its local business. Spiegel’s comments reflect broader concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of these bans, especially as other regions consider similar measures. For marketers and policymakers, this debate underscores the challenges of regulating social media while balancing safety and innovation. It also raises important questions about whether age restrictions or digital literacy education would better serve young users in the long term. As the conversation around teen social media use continues to evolve, the impact on platforms like Snapchat—and the broader implications for digital safety—will remain a key focus.

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Originally published on Social Media Today on 2/19/2026