People around the world use LinkedIn to connect with their industry colleagues and build professional networks. Kairan Quazi, a 14-year-old who made news for graduating from Santa Clara University with a bachelor’s degree and subsequently securing a software engineering job on SpaceX’s Starlink, was also using LinkedIn. However, earlier this week, LinkedIn decided to delete Quazi’s account on the grounds that he is not yet 16, which is the minimum age requirement to join the platform. On Tuesday, Quazi shared a screenshot of LinkedIn’s notice that informed him of their decision. In a scathing post, Quazi criticised this move and said, “I can be qualified enough to land one of the most coveted engineering jobs in the world but not qualified enough to have access to a professional social media platform? @LinkedIn showing everyone how regressive some tech company policies are.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kairan Quazi (@thepythonkairan) Quazi also urged netizens to share the screenshot of the notice on their LinkedIn accounts so that they could connect with him on Instagram instead. The minimum age to join Instagram is 13 years. Commenting on the post, an Instagram user wrote, “Make a fortune and buy LinkedIn and show them how to run it properly”. However, many people also agreed with LinkedIn’s decision. Echoing this view, an Instagram user wrote, “tbh. It’s the rules, if they bend it for you they have to bend it for everyone. It’s like with Instagram. we cannot bend and allow children because it could endanger them”. Another person said, “#BigW for @linkedin . #Rules are rules, even if you're extraordinarily talented and exceptional hardworker . Brother @thepythonkairan , chill out, if you're truly what the world says about you; I'm sure you'll make them pay for it in coming time!”.
