In brief
Australian lawmakers are drafting a Digital Duty of Care bill that would force platforms to give users an off‑switch for algorithmic recommendations, limiting feeds to only what they follow. Critics worry the change could curb enjoyment and lead to over‑moderation, while supporters say it gives people control without restricting free speech. Stories of people whose mental health suffered under recommended content, such as an 18‑year‑old with an eating disorder, underpin the push for tighter regulation.
Varsha Yajman: a personal story
When 13‑year‑old Varsha Yajman first signed up for social media, she was met with endless workout videos, calorie challenges and a culture that turned weight into a performance metric. Those feeds later helped feed an eating disorder that lasted into adulthood.
Now 24 and in recovery, Varsha says her accounts still serve weight‑loss content even with all safety settings switched on and even after she banned many words from her feeds.
Australia’s Digital Duty of Care bill
The proposed legislation would require all online services to provide a legal duty of care, ensuring that harmful material is protected against—particularly for children. The core of the bill is an "algorithm switch" that would force platforms to reveal a switch that users could turn off to see only posts from accounts they follow.
Under the bill, fines of up to A$100 million could be imposed for breaches, and platforms would be legally required to design feeds that do not make harmful content unavoidably visible.
Challenges for big tech
Meta, Snap, TikTok, X and Google have declined to comment on the law, and their business models often rely on algorithmic feeds. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri replied that a non‑algorithmic feed would be less enjoyable and that the company does not consider its app addictive.
Right‑wing parties in Australia and the United States have warned the bill could give governments too much control over free expression, though supporters argue that users would still be free to share whatever they wish.
International context
The EU introduced algorithm controls in 2023, prompting platforms to roll out following‑only feeds, but uptake of the feature has been low. The Dutch court’s ruling last year forcing Meta to let users keep choice over their feeds may prove a useful precedent.
Australia’s version demands that follow‑only feeds be no less functional and that the switch remain obvious, with changes only made after an explicit user choice— even if the user leaves the app.
What it means for users
Most Gen‑Z respondents say they would keep their algorithms on, but a recent poll shows nearly half of Australian adults would turn them off. Varsha acknowledges she might not use the switch often, but says knowing she has the option is empowering.
If you or someone you know is affected by these issues you can talk to a health professional or an organisation listed on the BBC Action Line. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sitemanager/15257
