Social media users could switch off recommender algorithms in their social media feeds, under new draft laws the Australian government plans to unveil this week.

The proposed digital duty of care legislation would hold social media companies to greater account for content on their platforms. Opposition leader Angus Taylor said the Coalition had yet to see the proposal but warned against efforts to “censor social media”.

The digital duty of care plan is separate to the government’s proposed Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill, which aims to toughen existing rules around the under-16 social media ban.

So what’s been proposed in these digital duty of care laws? And will it help reduce harm?

What’s been proposed?

Under the proposed digital duty of care legislation:

users could opt out of social media recommender algorithms via pop-up messages

social media companies would be expected to identify and manage risks on their platforms

the onus would be on platforms to stop harmful content (such as illegal pornography) from being shared.

The ABC reported that, for under-18s:

about half a dozen additional areas of ‘psycho-social harm’ would be identified, including content about body image and bullying.

about half a dozen additional areas of ‘psycho-social harm’ would be identified, including content........

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