Bluesky Chief Gets Age Limit Wrong in BBC Interview

Bluesky, the rising social media platform, has recently surged in popularity, gaining millions of users. But its chief executive, Jay Graber, stumbled during a BBC interview when asked about the platform’s age restrictions. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Ms. Graber incorrectly stated that users must be 18 years or older to join Bluesky, though the actual minimum age is 13.

Age Confusion Sparks Debate

When questioned about Bluesky’s age policy, Ms. Graber admitted uncertainty, responding, “I think it’s like 18 and above.” Following the interview, Bluesky clarified the correct age limit, stating:

“You must be at least 13 years old to sign up for an account, and anyone under 18 has additional settings applied to ensure the content they see is safe for minors.”

The age of social media users has been a hot topic globally. In countries like Australia, proposals are in place to ban under-16s from platforms, while the UK is also considering similar actions.

Why Is Bluesky Growing So Fast?

Bluesky was developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and offers a familiar interface reminiscent of Twitter’s early days. With an ad-free experience, a mix of human moderators and AI technology, and a focus on user privacy, it has attracted users disillusioned with X (formerly Twitter).

The platform’s user base skyrocketed recently, jumping from 9 million users in September to over 20 million this week, spurred by reactions to the US election results. Many left X in protest, criticizing its role in Donald Trump’s re-election and the influence of its owner, Elon Musk.

Child Safety and Content Moderation

Bluesky employs “age-gating” during sign-up by requesting a date of birth, but Ms. Graber admitted the platform does not verify IDs, explaining:

“We don’t take IDs or anything like that. That’s very private information.”

While safety settings are applied to accounts belonging to users under 18, Bluesky’s approach contrasts with platforms proposing stricter ID verification measures to combat underage use.

Can Bluesky Compete?

Despite its rapid growth, Bluesky still lags behind major competitors like X and Meta’s Threads, which already boast hundreds of millions of users. As of now, Bluesky has no plans to adopt traditional advertising, exploring subscription-based features as a potential revenue stream instead.

The UK Stays Neutral

In the UK, Bluesky has yet to gain traction in official circles. Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer have declined to join the platform, emphasizing the need to communicate across more widely used channels.

What’s Next for Bluesky?

As debates about age verification and child safety continue, Bluesky’s future will depend on its ability to balance privacy, safety, and its growing user base. With the social media landscape evolving rapidly, the platform may be on the cusp of redefining its place in the market.