The Australian government is exploring new digital laws that could allow users to opt out of social media algorithms and is considering bans on pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation. These measures come in the wake of the suspected sexual choking death of a 16-year-old girl.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek stated on Sunday that the government is committed to legislating a digital duty of care. This would compel technology companies to proactively prevent online harms, rather than solely responding to complaints. Plibersek indicated that the government is examining the implications of a recent $18 billion settlement between Meta and various U.S. governments, which includes enhanced safety features for children on social media.
"It takes an average of 23 minutes for you to be fed misogynistic - violent misogynistic - content online," Plibersek told the ABC's Insiders program. "That is a deliberate decision of the social media companies that is wrecking our young boys, giving them all of the wrong ideas about what healthy relationships look like, so we're absolutely up for work on algorithms."
The government is also reviewing recent legislation in the United Kingdom that criminalizes depictions of strangulation and suffocation in pornography. Plibersek noted that 60 percent of young people report experiencing strangulation during sexual encounters, emphasizing, "There is no safe way to strangle someone."
These considerations are part of the development of the government's next action plan on family, domestic, and sexual violence. NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to implement a UK-style ban, stating that content depicting acts capable of causing serious harm should not be treated as adult entertainment.
Consent activist Chanel Contos, who has previously advocated for mandated consent education in schools, is campaigning for Australia to adopt features allowing users to opt into social media algorithms. Contos has been appointed to the new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council, which will advise the government on its national action plan. The council, which includes other experts in child welfare, criminology, and family violence advocacy, will convene for its first meeting in the upcoming week.