Australia’s government is moving ahead with a notable plan for social media. Announced on September 8, 2026, the initiative is named “My Feed, My Way.” It wants to make algorithmic feeds an opt-in option rather than the default. Consequently, this could give users far more control over their feeds.
“Social media platforms will be required to send a notification to new and existing users offering them a choice over their default feed. Users can choose to opt in to having their default feed include personalised content recommended by the algorithm. Alternatively, users can opt out of personally recommended content in their default feed and see the friends and creators they choose to follow.”
— Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
The proposal sits within broader draft “Digital Duty of Care” legislation. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed the plan earlier in the week. Under it, platforms must notify all users and offer a clear choice. Users over 16 could opt into algorithmic feeds or see followed accounts only. Crucially, the law would require platforms to respect that decision. They could not repeatedly steer users back toward recommendations afterward.
The penalties attached are substantial and serious. Platforms failing to comply could face fines up to A$109.2 million. However, the government stressed this remains a proposal, not enacted law. Full parameters will be established over the coming months ahead.
This move is not just restricted to the Down Under, as many other regions of the world have expressed a concern with the growth of social media as it is:
- According to survey results published by Pew Research in July, 56% of Americans currently support a social media ban for users under age 16.
- 9 out of 10 parents in the U.K support social media bans for those under the age of 16. (The Guardian)
- 79% of parents in France support teen social media bans. (The New York Times)
- 79% of adults in Italy are in support of banning teens under age 16 from social media apps. (YouGov)
- 60% of people in Norway believe their government should implement social media age limits. (government.no)
- 60% of parents in Sweden support teen social media bans. (Sweden Herald)
The platforms themselves push back on the idea firmly. Meta and others have repeatedly made one consistent claim. They say users prefer non-algorithmic feeds in surveys. Yet engagement always declines once chronological display replaces the algorithm.
The key question is whether that decline is actually bad. It is certainly bad for platforms that monetize increased engagement. However, from a social good perspective, it might prove positive. There is now expansive evidence that algorithms drive divisive behaviors. Removing that amplification could reduce exposure to angst-inducing content significantly.
The move specifically targets several documented harms. These include content reinforcing poor body image and threats to child protection. However, an algorithm-free experience carries its own real risks too. Notably, algorithmic sorting was originally implemented to solve content overwhelm. Back in 2014, Facebook said users simply followed too many accounts.
The plan also arrives amid broader global regulatory pressure. The European Union already grants users a right to non-profiled content. Meanwhile, opposition figures warn the plan could enable government censorship. Either way, a large-scale test in a smaller market like Australia could finally provide real data on the actual impacts.
