Australian social media users would be given a choice to opt out of algorithms under proposed laws announced by the government Tuesday that would let users have more control over what they see on their social media feeds.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra: “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.”
The move for more user control and to keep children safer online follows Australia introducing world-first laws in December last year that ban children younger than 16 from holding accounts on the world’s largest social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
The Proposed Legislation
The proposed Digital Duty of Care legislation would require social media platforms to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed, a government statement said. Users would be able to opt in to having their default feed include personalized content recommended by an algorithm. Alternatively, users could see the content of friends and creators they choose to follow.
The legislation would also protect children from content that promotes eating disorders, hostile ideas about women, pornography, crime, dangerous stunts, and other content that can cause serious mental health distress.
Digital services, including online games, apps, and artificial intelligence chatbots, would also be required to protect children from design features that have negative behavioral effects such as addictive features and those that have an effect on self-esteem.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Penalties under the proposed legislation could be as high as 109.2 million Australian dollars ($78.6 million).
“It gives users choice and it will hold the big tech companies responsible for inaction,” Albanese said. “If they don’t follow our laws, they will face significant penalties.”
The Context
In April, Australia’s online safety watchdog said it was considering court action against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube, alleging that they are not doing enough to keep Australian children younger than 16 off their platforms.
The proposed legislation follows Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s, which was introduced in December 2025. The government has been taking a leading role in regulating social media platforms, with a focus on user safety and choice.
The Bottom Line
Australia has proposed legislation that would give social media users over 16 the choice to opt out of algorithms. Platforms would be required to offer users a choice over their default feed, with penalties of up to $78.6 million for non-compliance. The legislation also aims to protect children from harmful content and addictive features. The move follows Australia’s world-first ban on social media for under-16s.
