Oprah Winfrey has praised Australia’s new law that bans social media use for people under 16, saying it could help children and teenagers develop stronger social skills.
The rule, due to take effect on December 10, will prohibit under-16s from using major platforms including TikTok, Meta’s Instagram and Snap’s Snapchat. The government says the measure is intended to shield young people from harmful content and online predators.
Speaking in Sydney while on a national speaking tour, Winfrey said the policy could ‘change the lives of an entire generation of kids who are going to have better lives.’ She expressed particular concern about boys, arguing that early exposure to pornography and heavy internet use can undermine their ability to communicate and form real-world relationships.
Australia has described the approach as a world first. The law includes potential fines of up to A$49.5 million (about US$33 million). Governments and observers worldwide are watching the rollout, and most major platforms have indicated they will comply.
Australia’s internet regulator says about 96% of those under 16—more than a million young people in a country of roughly 27 million—already have social media accounts, a statistic officials cite when explaining the need for stricter rules.
