Wed, 01 Oct 2025

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 Pinterest boss says he thinks about Molly Russell every day

Addressing the case publicly for the first time, Bill Ready says the tragedy "guides" the firm's work.
Pinterest's boss, Bill Ready, says the death of Molly Russell is a daily reminder of the need for social media companies to make their platforms safer for young people. He admits that when Molly used Pinterest in 2017, she was exposed to self-harm content online, which contributed to her death. Since then, the platform has made significant strides in providing age-appropriate and safe experiences for users under 16, who are now fully private by default. However, Ready acknowledges that Pinterest is not perfect and there's still much work to be done. Ready also criticizes industry groups that claim social media can't be made safer, saying that companies like Pinterest are showing that it's possible with "significant strides". He points out that other industries have successfully prioritized safety, such as the automotive industry which now focuses on exceeding crash test ratings. Ready calls for more accountability from tech companies and says they should prioritize the safety and wellbeing of teenagers. Industry expert Matt Navarra notes that while Pinterest can set an example, its impact is limited due to its smaller size compared to major players like TikTok and Instagram. He warns that unless these platforms follow suit, parents won't see significant changes in social media safety.
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