Australia is set to introduce a new law that will hold social media platforms accountable for preventing online harms, such as bullying, predatory behavior, and the spread of harmful content. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said that the "Digital Duty of Care" will require these platforms to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of Australian users.

The proposed changes to the Online Safety Act were unveiled this Thursday, ahead of next week's introduction of legislation that would ban children under 16 from using platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Critics argue that banning young users might reduce the incentives for platforms to create safer environments.

Social media has faced increasing criticism for its role in the rise of mental health issues among children, including higher rates of suicide and eating disorders, often linked to bullying and exposure to harmful content, such as unrealistic body images.

Rowland highlighted that this approach follows similar measures already adopted by the United Kingdom and the European Union. The law will require digital businesses to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm on their platforms, using risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and safety-by-design principles.

The legislation would hold social media platforms accountable, ensuring they cannot simply ignore their responsibilities. Instead, they would need to continually assess and address potential risks as their technologies and services evolve.

The law will also focus on various harms, including risks to young people’s mental well-being and the promotion of illegal activities. However, the government has not yet announced when the legislation will be introduced to Parliament or what penalties might apply for violations.

The Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI), which represents Australia's digital sector, welcomed the government's efforts to update the Online Safety Act. Sunita Bose, DIGI’s managing director, emphasized that the organization's members are dedicated to ensuring safety online and will continue to work with the government on these issues.

Belinda Barnet, a digital media expert from Swinburne University, praised the duty of care concept, calling it "pioneering" and saying it would make platforms take responsibility for the impact of the content they host. "It's making the platforms take responsibility, and that just simply doesn't happen at the moment," Barnet explained.

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