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Australia Moves to Let Teenagers Opt Out of Social Media Recommendation Algorithms
Australia's government is pushing platforms to give teenagers the ability to turn off algorithmic content recommendations, extending its world-first under-16 social media ban with a new layer of algorithmic control for older teens who remain on the platforms.
AI-synthesized from the cited sources below.
Australia's government is moving to require social media platforms to let teenagers opt out of algorithmic content recommendation systems, building on the country's world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16 that took effect earlier this year. The proposal would let teenagers who remain eligible to use platforms choose chronological, non-algorithmic feeds instead of engagement-optimized recommendations.
Officials and online safety advocates have argued that recommendation algorithms, which are optimized to maximize time spent on a platform, can push teenagers toward harmful content including material related to self-harm, eating disorders and extreme political content. The push comes as Australia's eSafety Commissioner continues to enforce the under-16 ban, which has forced major platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube to build age-verification systems, and as other countries watch Australia's approach as a potential model for their own regulation of algorithmic recommendation systems for minors.
Key facts
- Australia's government is pushing platforms to let teenagers opt out of algorithmic content recommendations
- This builds on Australia's existing world-first ban on social media accounts for children under 16
- The proposal would let eligible teenagers choose chronological feeds instead of algorithmic ones
- Advocates argue recommendation algorithms can push teens toward self-harm and eating disorder content
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