Australia considers social media algorithm changes
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The gist
Australia considers letting users opt out of social media algorithms. The move follows a Sydney teen's death and rising strangulation reports.
Background
The Australian government is developing its second action plan to end family and domestic violence against women and children. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said social media algorithms are deliberately feeding boys and men violent content, normalising strangulation during sex. This follows the death of a 16-year-old girl in Sydney after a suspected sexual strangulation act, and a recent UK ban on depictions of strangulation in pornography.
How it unfolded
- Aug 27, 2026A 16-year-old girl dies in Sydney after a suspected sexual strangulation act; no arrests have been made.
- Aug 29, 2026Guardian Australia reports on the case, citing a source saying the teenager became unconscious due to asphyxiation during sex.
- Aug 30, 2026Minister Tanya Plibersek tells ABC's Insiders that the government is considering opt-in/opt-out algorithms and following the UK ban on strangulation depictions.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Minister Plibersek says social media algorithms are deliberately feeding violent content to boys and men, and the government is considering opt-in/opt-out systems.
- Support
- Chanel Contos's Teach Us Consent has campaigned for algorithms to be opt-in only on social media.
Still unverified
The specific details of the Sydney teen's death are based on a single source and no arrests have been made.