Australia Pushes New Digital-Safety Laws to Rein in Social-Media Algorithms and Protect Children

The Albanese government is preparing legislation that would let users over 16 turn off algorithm-driven content on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. The draft also creates a “digital duty of care” requiring companies to reduce foreseeable harms, with fines exceeding A$100 million for non-compliance. For children under 18, the rules would block pornography, content encouraging eating disorders, misogynistic material, depictions of crime and dangerous stunts, and material likely to cause mental-health problems, including bullying.

The Guardian

In 2025 Australia introduced a ban on social-media accounts for anyone under 16, leading to the closure of an estimated 5 million accounts. The ban was promoted as a response to a surge in online bullying and self-harm among minors. International observers, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, praised the move, and several countries have since considered similar restrictions.

The Guardian

• Anthony Albanese – Prime Minister, champion of the “global movement” for digital safety.

The Guardian

• Anika Wells – Communications Minister, responsible for drafting the algorithm-opt-out provisions.

The Guardian

• Claire Pullen – Group chief executive of the Australian Writers’ Guild.

The Guardian

• A DemosAU poll found 66 % of Australians support mandatory algorithm opt-out tools, while 13 % oppose them.

The Guardian

• Research after the under-16 ban shows more than 80 % of teens under 16 remain active on social media.

The Guardian

• The ban has already forced the removal of roughly 5 million accounts nationwide.

The Guardian

Prime Minister Albanese framed the reforms as a response to community demand: “We took action because the community said ‘enough was enough’, and we would no longer let Australian kids be treated as commodities instead of children.” Communications Minister Wells argued that platforms must shift the reporting burden from victims to companies: “We must move the burden of reporting online harm from the shoulders of victims and stop that harm at the source.” The draft also includes a “my feed, my way” rule that would allow users over 16 to disable algorithmic recommendations, with non-compliant platforms facing multi-million-dollar penalties.

The Guardian

The Greens, whose support is needed for passage, argue the opt-out model is insufficient and call for a proactive “opt-in” requirement instead.

ABC News Australia

While polling shows strong public backing, post-ban research indicates a high proportion of under-16s still access social media, suggesting the ban’s effectiveness is uncertain. No independent audit of compliance rates has been released, leaving a gap in verification of the 5 million account closures.

The Guardian

• “These changes [would be] trying to catch up, really, with what’s already happening,” — Lisa Harrison, lecturer in communication and media at Flinders University.

The Guardian

• “Back in the analogue days … you had book publishers and record companies wanting to control distribution by territory,” — Eileen Camilleri, CEO of the Australian Copyright Council.

The Guardian

The legislation is slated for introduction before Christmas 2026. Albanese plans to discuss the reforms during upcoming trips to the United Nations, Commonwealth, Asean, Apec and G20 meetings later in the year. The government has pledged further consultation before finalising the rules.

The Guardian