Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia—Manager of Australian Greens Business in the Senate) (19:28): I would like something more concrete from the government about commitment on the transparency measures. To be perfectly honest, I think we need more than just a commitment to talking about these issues. I want to see a more solid commitment.

I think it is important that we actually get under the hood of these algorithms, because that is not just how big tech makes massive profits off these dangerous, addictive products but how they seek to tweak and change and manipulate their products to make them as addictive as possible. I believe Australians should have the right to switch off the algorithm and not have it shoved down their throat.

It's up to them. It should be a freedom of choice. But people should also be free to not be tricked by an addictive product.

These social media platforms have become so much a part of our lives. Every Australian should be free not just to choose but to be safe online, and part of being safe online is not being force-fed an addictive product. They are deliberately designed to be addictive.

We know that. We've seen that in the US. Progress reported.