MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian government has announced plans to implement a legal framework that would compel social media companies to take proactive measures against online harms such as bullying, predatory behavior, and the dissemination of harmful content. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized that this initiative, dubbed the “Digital Duty of Care,” aims to ensure that digital platforms are held accountable for the safety of Australian users.

These proposed revisions to the Online Safety Act will coincide with the introduction of groundbreaking legislation next week, which seeks to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing popular social media sites like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. While the government believes this step is necessary, critics argue that such measures may actually diminish the motivation for social media companies to create safer online environments.

There is growing concern over the negative impacts of social media, particularly in relation to children’s mental health, with evidence suggesting a correlation between social media use and increased instances of self-harm and eating disorders stemming from bullying and negative body image portrayals. Rowland noted that similar legal responsibilities for tech companies have already been adopted by the United Kingdom and the European Union, underscoring a trend toward greater accountability in the digital space.

Under the forthcoming regulations, digital platforms will be mandated to take reasonable precautions against foreseeable risks on their services. The duty of care will be based on systematic risk assessments and mitigation strategies, focusing on the principle of safety-by-design, as outlined by Rowland.

This legislative framework would prevent platforms from simply neglecting their responsibilities. Instead, companies will be required to continuously assess and address potential risks as their technologies and services evolve. The proposed legislation highlights several categories of harm, including threats to young individuals, detrimental effects on mental health, and the encouragement of illegal activities.

While details on the timeline for introducing the duty of care legislation in Parliament or the penalties for violations have yet to be disclosed, there has been support from the Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), an advocate for Australia’s digital sector. DIGI managing director Sunita Bose praised the government’s efforts to enhance the Online Safety Act, stating that the organization’s members represent some of the safest sectors of the internet and are committed to ensuring user safety.

Bose expressed confidence in DIGI’s members, indicating that they will continue to implement safety measures in their services while collaborating with the government to enhance online safety for Australians.

Swinburne University digital media expert Belinda Barnet characterized the duty of care initiative as groundbreaking, asserting that it is revolutionary for platforms hosting Australian users to assume responsibility for the content they deliver and the experiences they provide. Barnet remarked that the current perception of social media as a neutral third party needs to change, as these platforms must be held accountable for the effects of their content on users.