In a significant move to reform social media usage in Australia, two former prime ministers, Julia Gillard and Malcolm Turnbull, have rallied behind a campaign advocating for greater control over online content. The campaign is spearheaded by the group Teach Us Consent, which has urged the government to implement a strategy dubbed “Fix our Feeds.” This initiative calls for social media platforms to introduce an opt-in feature that allows users to disable algorithms that curate their content.
The open letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlights the detrimental effects of current algorithms, stating, “The algorithms that curate our feeds are designed to keep us scrolling.” The letter emphasizes that these algorithms prioritize content that elicits strong emotional reactions, including outrage and fear, leading to an environment rife with extreme and misogynistic content.
Combatting Online Harm
The group asserts that this proposed intervention could play a crucial role in curbing gender-based violence and the rise of radicalized misogyny, particularly among young men. It also aims to support individuals vulnerable to issues like eating disorders and self-harm while reducing exposure to other harmful content, such as racism and false information. The letter suggests that the initiative could also serve those who wish to reduce their social media usage altogether.
Prominent signatories of the letter include independent MPs Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Helen Haines, and Monique Ryan, along with Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and media personality Abbie Chatfield. The support from diverse public figures illustrates a growing concern over the impact of social media on societal norms and individual well-being.
Digital wellbeing researcher Joanne Orlando from Western Sydney University emphasizes the need for a social media experience free from algorithmic influence. She describes an ideal situation where users have the agency to select their content without sensationalism. “We have more control over what we see, what we engage with,” Orlando stated.
Understanding the Implications
Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University supports the notion of a less curated feed, suggesting that it could simply be a chronological display of the latest posts from followed accounts. He acknowledges that the challenge lies in the platforms’ inability to gauge user reactions accurately, which often leads to an influx of undesirable content based on previous interactions.
Last year, a report from Australia’s eSafety Commissioner revealed that while the internet can serve as a platform for self-expression, it simultaneously perpetuates harmful stereotypes about masculinity. The report identified controversial figures like Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist, as influential within the online spheres of many young men.
The Teach Us Consent initiative comes at a time when reported sexual assaults in Australia have risen by 10 percent, marking the highest figure recorded. Turnbull highlighted the importance of addressing disrespect toward women, stating, “Not all disrespect of women ends up in violence against women, but all violence against women begins with disrespecting women.”
Both Gillard and Turnbull have emphasized the necessity of regulating social media to create safer online environments. Gillard expressed her long-standing belief in this need and pointed out that online spaces often harbor abuse, predominantly affecting women.
As Australia prepares to enforce a world-first social media ban for children under 16 on 10 December 2023, platforms like Meta have begun removing access to accounts for users below that age. The company has acknowledged the complexities involved in complying with the new law.
Orlando highlights that the need for protective measures extends beyond teenagers, arguing that everyone deserves safeguarding from the adverse effects of addictive algorithms. She suggests that an algorithm blocker may be more effective than a blanket ban on social media for young people, which has faced criticism for its potential loopholes.
Leaver agrees, noting that enabling users to turn off personalized algorithms could present a more nuanced solution to the challenges posed by social media. While he acknowledges that implementing such changes across all platforms would be complicated, he believes it is technically feasible.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells stated that consultations regarding the Digital Duty of Care legislation are ongoing, welcoming submissions aimed at enhancing online safety for children.
As society grapples with the implications of social media, the push for reform reflects a growing awareness of the platform’s role in shaping attitudes and behaviors.
