Future of Privacy Forum CEO Discusses Online Safety Measures for Minors

Governments around the world are introducing regulations on children's access to social media amid concerns about artificial intelligence, predators, privacy, and screen addiction. There is little global agreement on the appropriate measures or who should implement them.

Jules Polonetsky, CEO of the Future of Privacy Forum, addressed these issues at a Rest of World virtual event on May 14, 2026. He said parents feel overwhelmed by digital challenges and lack clear guidance, noting that cultural differences, family variations, and differing rates of child development complicate uniform solutions.

Polonetsky stated that simply restricting access is not sufficient. He said parents seek education and practical alternatives for children's activities rather than relying solely on companies or legislation to address the issue.

Several governments are considering measures similar to Australia's ban on social media for minors. Polonetsky said banning is the easiest approach to legislate but among the hardest to enforce effectively. Early observations from Australia show a sharp increase in VPN usage as children circumvent the restrictions.

He noted that while regulators may attempt to close such loopholes, the policy risks limiting internet access for learning and safety purposes, particularly for families without resources or technical knowledge. Polonetsky described Australia as a large-scale experiment whose full effects are not yet clear.

He said other countries are likely to see different results and expressed concern that bans could drive children toward smaller online services with less oversight and fewer safety tools.

Instead of broad bans, Polonetsky advocated a risk-based approach that weighs privacy considerations. He said services used by both children and adults should maintain separate communities to reduce risks from predators, though this requires age verification systems that raise their own privacy issues.

He compared the need for identification in youth-oriented online spaces to requirements in physical settings such as schools. Polonetsky acknowledged that such systems place burdens on adults, especially in countries where official identification documents are not universally available.

Polonetsky said artificial intelligence is becoming more effective at content moderation by better understanding context within conversations. He noted that while he was initially skeptical, recent evidence suggests AI could improve oversight and protection at scale compared with current human moderation capabilities.

Polonetsky called on platforms to simplify parental control tools. He said the proliferation of options has made oversight overly complex, comparing it to managing an air traffic control system, which exceeds the capacity of most busy parents. He recommended that platforms design tools that are straightforward enough for parents to use without becoming technical experts.

Polonetsky drew on his earlier experience developing parental controls at AOL, noting that early systems were simpler before the interactive internet increased complexity. For families, he advised initial close supervision of young children, including joint use and review of platforms.

As children reach ages 16 or 17, he said parents should shift toward building trusted relationships that maintain communication without invading privacy, recognizing that this period can carry heightened risks of inappropriate contact. Polonetsky noted that dangers to children have always existed and that online versions require similar societal responses.

He said solutions involve partnerships between parents and children rather than solely digital restrictions.