CANBERRA — The Australian government announced proposed legislation on Tuesday that would allow social media users to opt out of algorithmic feeds. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced the "Digital Duty of Care" legislation, which requires platforms to provide choice over feed curation for users over the age of 16.

Social media platforms would be required to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed. Users over the age of 16 would be able to opt in to having their default feed include personalized content recommended by an algorithm. Users could alternatively choose to see only the content of friends and creators they choose to follow. The initiative is referred to as the "My Feed, My Way" initiative.

"We'll require social media platforms to provide user empowerment tools that give people over the age of 16 genuine and enduring choice about what they see in their feeds," Albanese said at a press conference. He added that the framework places responsibility on technology companies rather than expanding state authority. "This is not about giving government control. It's about giving people control. It's about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online."

Penalties for non-compliance under the proposed legislation could be as high as 109.2 million Australian dollars. "It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction. If they don't follow our laws, they will face significant penalties." The measures are set to be introduced to the Parliament of Australia in 2026.

The proposed legislation would protect children from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts, and content that causes serious mental health distress. Digital services including online games, apps, and artificial intelligence chatbots would be required to protect children from design features with negative behavioral impacts, such as addictive features and those affecting self-esteem.

Timeline

Australia introduced laws in December 2025 banning children younger than 16 from holding accounts on major social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Prior to the ban, 86% of Australian children were using at least one age-restricted platform. Meta and YouTube lost a social media addiction trial in Los Angeles earlier in 2026.

Studies from the eSafety Commissioner showed that three months after the ban, over 81% of Australian children were still using at least one age-restricted platform. Meta lost a separate case in March 2026 brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and was ordered to pay over $900 million in penalties. The eSafety Commissioner report found that 58% of teens were still using social media daily or more often after the ban, down from roughly 60% before the ban. In April 2026, Australia's eSafety Commissioner said it was considering court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube for allegedly failing to keep children under 16 off their platforms.

What's New

Additional reporting includes further statements from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regarding the intent of the legislation. It's about giving people control. He also stated, "This is sensible, pragmatic, practical reform."

Contextual academic studies have been published in recent years addressing related societal issues. A study titled "Rhetoric, Culture, and Climate Wars: A Discursive Analysis of Australian Political Leaders’ Responses to the Black Summer Bushfire Crisis" was published in 2021. A study titled An urgent call to address interpersonal and structural racism and social inequities in Australia was published in 2022 in The Lancet.

A study titled Potential effects of the social media age ban in Australia for children younger than 16 years was published in 2025 in The Lancet Digital Health. Data from the eSafety Commissioner indicated that prior to the ban, 86% of Australian children were using at least one age-restricted platform, and three months after the ban, over 81% of Australian children were still using at least one age-restricted platform.

Why It Matters

International legal precedents also align with increased scrutiny of platform design. Meta settled a social media trial in August 2026 for $18 billion brought by a coalition of U.S. states led by California. As part of the settlement, Meta agreed to make changes for users under 18, including the ability to choose a non-algorithmic feed, a two-hour daily usage limit, and disabling extreme makeup and cosmetic surgery filters. Meta and YouTube also lost a social media addiction trial in Los Angeles earlier in 2026, and Meta lost a separate case in March 2026 brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, resulting in penalties exceeding $900 million.