Australia proposes new social media laws for user empowerment
A proposed Australian legislation aims to empower social media users by allowing them to opt out of algorithm-driven feeds, reports BritPanorama.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, mandates social media platforms to provide tools that grant individuals aged 16 and older genuine control over their content preferences. Albanese emphasized the importance of this choice during a press briefing in Canberra.
In addition to user control, the legislation seeks to safeguard children from harmful content, including that which promotes eating disorders, violence, and pornography, in an effort to address serious mental health concerns.
This push follows Australia’s implementation of world-first laws in December 2025, which prohibit children under 16 from having accounts on major platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Albanese noted that the legislation would hold tech companies accountable, warning of significant penalties for non-compliance, which could reach up to 109.2 million Australian dollars (approximately $78.6 million).
New and existing users will receive notifications regarding their feed options, allowing them to choose between algorithmically recommended content or posts from followed friends and creators. Furthermore, digital services, including online games and AI chatbots, will be required to protect children from features that contribute negatively to their behavior or self-esteem.
In related developments, Australia’s online safety agency has indicated it may pursue legal action against platforms like Facebook and TikTok for failing to adequately protect Australian minors from access to their services.
