Australia’s Digital Duty of Care legislation has passed the House of Representatives, advancing the Albanese Government’s push to hold technology companies accountable for serious online harm.
The bill would require digital platforms, online games and AI chatbots to take reasonable steps to protect users, particularly children and teenagers, from harmful content and unsafe features.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the reforms were needed to address cyberbullying, misogyny, online abuse and content promoting violence, arguing that responsibility for online safety should rest with technology companies rather than parents and children.
Under the proposed framework, platforms would need to assess risks and strengthen safeguards for users under 18 against content involving pornography, eating disorders, dangerous stunts, bullying and hostility towards women. The bill would also target addictive features affecting young people’s sleep and ban “nudify” apps that generate fake nude images.
The measures would give users aged over 16 greater control over their social media feeds, reduce the required response time for cyberbullying and abuse complaints from 48 hours to 24 hours, and expand the eSafety Commissioner’s enforcement powers.
Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to $109.2 million.
Albanese rejected claims that the reforms amounted to censorship, saying the aim was to prevent serious harm while giving Australians more choice over what they see online.
The legislation would consolidate 17 existing industry codes into a single framework. The Government says the reforms would build on Australia’s minimum social media age laws and establish stronger safety standards across digital services.
With the bill passing the House of Representatives, its parliamentary progress continues as the Government seeks to make online platforms more accountable for user safety.
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