Bluesky COO says teen social media bans entrench Big Tech dominance

Bluesky COO Warns Teen Social Media Bans Could Entrench Big Tech Dominance

Rose Wang, the chief operating officer of Bluesky, has cautioned that government-led bans on teen social media use risk strengthening the very companies they aim to regulate, by imposing compliance burdens that smaller platforms cannot absorb.

Regulatory Costs Fall Hardest on Small Entrants

Speaking at SXSW London, which ran from June 1 to 6, Wang told CNBC that regulations such as Australia’s ban on social media for those under 16 create costs that platforms like Bluesky — which operates with roughly 40 employees — must bear on the same terms as Meta, a company with thousands of trust and safety staff. Wang argued that the disparity makes it nearly impossible for smaller entrants to compete, effectively creating a moat around incumbents.cnbc

“Smaller platforms, often operating with limited capital, may struggle to invest in the sophisticated” age-verification and moderation systems that regulators require, Wang said, according to reporting on her remarks. She called instead for proportional regulation and direct communication channels between regulators and smaller companies, while holding large incumbents accountable for harms on their platforms.indiavision

A Global Push Gaining Momentum

Wang’s warning comes as teen social media bans gather pace worldwide. Australia became the first country to bar under-16s from social media in December 2025, with penalties of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars for non-compliant companies. Malaysia and Spain have since enacted similar restrictions, while Greece, France, and Denmark are developing their own rules. In the United Kingdom, lawmakers rejected an outright ban earlier this year but the government launched a pilot program in March testing curfews and time caps on apps for 300 teenagers.cnbc

Bluesky’s Broader Pitch Against Big Tech

Wang’s SXSW London appearance extended beyond regulation. In a fireside chat earlier in the week, she argued that major social media companies have become “basically AI companies at this point,” prioritizing algorithmic engagement over community. Bluesky, which has grown to more than 44 million users, positions itself as a decentralized alternative where users control their own feeds and moderation settings. Wang contended that the current social media landscape is “controlled by too few corporations” and that Bluesky was built specifically in response to that concentration.hollywoodreporter