Albanese to impose 'duty of care' on social media platforms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed expand on the social media ban for under-16s in Question Time last week, and also committed to taking it further.

He confirmed that the government is currently looking into imposing a duty of care on social media platforms, for them to be actively responsible for not only adhering to age restrictions, but to actively prevent harm to users in terms of content, and the use of algorithms.

On Sunday, the federal government announced it would introduce new legislation to double fines to $99m for platforms that breach the social media ban, and give the eSafety commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, stronger powers.

But it's the duty of care concept that really has the backing of experts.

Catherine Page Jeffery, a senior lecturer in media and communications at the University of Sydney, told Guardian Australia that more needs to be done.

"It is still early days yet not much has changed for under-16s with about 80% still stating they remain on social media,” she said.

“Stronger enforcement mechanisms are clearly needed... This digital duty of care is really vital, and I think this would be much better policy rather than excluding younger people, because then it places this obligation on the platforms to be more proactive about making sure their platforms are safe, and that will include more transparency around algorithms."

Earlier this month, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute reported on a study which found a direct link between prolonged social media use and poor mental health. It too recommended in The Conversation the imposition of a duty of care on platforms:

"This includes holding social media platforms accountable for algorithms and features that promote compulsive engagement and exposure to harmful content. One way to achieve this is through Australia’s proposed digital duty of care reform."

 

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Albanese tightens social media ban 'as a priority'

The Prime Minister noted in Question Time last week that that the global community was also tackling issues related to the impact of algorithms on minors, explaining that algorithms drive people towards “more and more extreme positions”.

He said, “They start off in a mainstream position talking about ethnicity perhaps or faith, and they end up over a period of time receiving in their inbox — not just children, adults as well — Nazi-level propaganda with calls for violence.

“We need to be courageous about this.”

The government is currently considering imposing a digital duty of care that would legally require online platforms to predict foreseeable harm to users, and stop it.

This would shift regulation from reactive take-downs of harmful content to more proactive risk management.

Since December, platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitch, Kick and X have been legally required to block and take reasonable steps to prevent Australians who are under 16 from having accounts.

Companies face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to do so.

Top Image: Anthony Albanese in Question Time on Thursday. Image: ABC News/Ian Cutmore)

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