Amusing or addictive? The algorithms powering our social feeds
- Australia could soon mandate that social media giants allow users to "opt out" of algorithms under proposed legislation, aiming to protect citizens under 18 from harmful content including pornography and online bullying.
- Critics describe algorithms as "addiction machines" that prioritize provocative content to drive profit. Steven Roberts at Monash University said recommendations "are designed to hold our attention," often leading users down extreme "rabbit holes."
- Research from Melbourne-based men's health charity Movember found social media algorithms guide young men toward extreme content. A national survey of more than 2,600 teachers showed 70 per cent observed the impact of "manosphere" influencers on student attitudes.
- Concerns persist that companies may engage in "protest design" by making non-algorithmic feeds less functional. Chanel Contos, Teach Us Consent founder, warned last week platforms might "comply maliciously" with mandates, resetting feeds repeatedly.
- The "my feed, my way" initiative aims to return social media to updates from followed accounts. Professor Daniel Angus, director of Queensland University of Technology's Digital Media Research Centre, advocates a hybrid approach giving users more agency beyond the algorithm binary.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Tired Of Social Media Algorithms? Australia Wants To Give Users The Power To Switch Them Off
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Trump Administration Pushes Back Against Australia’s Social Media Controls
Australia’s left-wing government said on Tuesday that it plans to require social media platforms to give their users an option to switch off “algorithms” and personally curate the information in their feeds. The White House was highly critical of the proposal, because American companies could end up facing steep fines in Australia if they fail to comply with the proposed law.
Instagram’s head says engagement falls by half without the algorithm
Adam Mosseri says Instagram engagement can fall by half on a chronological feed and that satisfaction drops sharply, as Australia consults on forcing platforms to offer the option.
Opt-in or opt-out: Australia’s social media safety debate is missing half the story
Laura Koefoed The government has announced draft Digital Duty of Care legislation that will aim to make platforms safer by changing what […] The post Opt-in or opt-out: Australia’s social media safety debate is missing half the story appeared first on QNews.
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