Australian MP's-Senators Call Government to Fix Our Feeds - Safer Internet Day 2026
On Internet Safety Day 2026, Tuesday February 10, Senators and House of the Representative MPs have called on the Federal Government to give all Australians freedom of choice on social media and let them protect themselves from social media algorithms that promote harmful content.
Social media companies use algorithms to keep users online by promoting content that intensifies negative emotions like anger and outrage. This maximises the social media company profit, but undermines social cohesion and mental health, spreads misinformation, promotes eating disorders, and amplifies hate speech, misogyny, homophobia and racism.
Research shows that young male users are fed misogynistic content almost as soon as they set up an account.
Teach Us Consent has launched a campaign to Fix Our Feeds calling on social media platforms to give users the option to opt in or out of algorithms.
''Teach Us Consent has rightly put a spotlight on the way social media algorithms promote misogyny, but social media algorithms also promote division at a time when we need to unify.
The government has acted to protect under 16s with a social media ban, but the harm extends through all ages.
Now we need to give all Australians the right to opt-in and opt-out of algorithms that give social media corporations control over how we communicate.
Australians deserve freedom of choice.'' the group of MPs and Senators stated
Dr Sophie Scamps, Independent MP for Mackellar said:
“We’ve long passed the point where social media is just a place to connect. Today’s hyper-targeted algorithms are engineered to addict and generate outrage – often using harmful content – all in the name of profits for tech billionaires. We cannot underestimate the damage this is doing to both our social cohesion and the mental health of individuals. We have the technology to fix this, we now need the political courage to bring it in.”
Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah, stated:
“Australians should have real control over the content we see online, including the choice to opt in or opt out of algorithm-driven feeds that can cause harm. I support the Fix Our Feeds call for algorithm choice, and I’ve long advocated for a genuine digital duty of care that makes platforms legally responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their users.”
Nicolette Boele, Independent MP for Bradfield, said:
"Remember when feeds were chronological, simple, and about people you actually knew? Most of us joined social media to connect with friends and family, yet feeds are dominated by content that isolates, divides, and radicalises.
“Algorithms are shaping an entire generation’s view of the world. In just 23 minutes, an account mimicking a 16–18-year-old boy will be fed with misogynistic content.
“If we want stronger, safer, and more connected communities — if we want social cohesion — it’s time to put the platforms in their place and the people in control.”
Allegra Spender, Independent MP for Wentworth, stated:
“It is no surprise to anyone with a social media account that algorithms have the capacity to drive division, to isolate and to spread hateful and dangerous content. This content shapes us without even realising, normalising extremism, misogyny and hate.
“Teach Us Consent’s Fix our Feeds initiative puts control and choice back where it belongs: into the hands of Australians. It is time for the Government to show courage and take decisive action.”
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock said:
“Now more than ever we need the Federal Government to step up and take strong action against social media algorithms and bot farms that are inciting hatred and fostering social division. We were promised a digital duty of care but there’s been no action to implement that.
“Teach Us Consent’s Fix our Feeds campaign offers a solution, and I urge all parliamentarians to get behind it.”
SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“Dangerous algorithms on social media platforms fuel sexism, misogyny and hate online, and in the community.
“Social media apps should not be allowed to force their nasty and dangerous content onto users - users should be in control of our own feeds, and have the freedom to opt out. The Government and Parliament needs to act.”
Kate Chaney, Independent MP for Curtin
“The under-16 ban on social media is a blunt tool, and it cannot be the end of how we hold to account the big tech companies that are selling our attention. It’s not a fair fight – sophisticated algorithms are designed to turn us into doomscrolling zombies. We must take back control of our online lives.”
Fix our Feeds
The Fix Our Feeds campaign calls on the Australian Government to introduce a world-leading opt-in feature for social media algorithms. This will bring affirmative, informed consent to our digital lives and give users real control to switch algorithmically-driven feeds on and off whenever they choose.
Teach Us Consent states :'Social media algorithms are flooding young men’s feeds with radical misogynistic content, inciting real-world harm.
We’re calling on the Australian Government to act, and introduce an opt-in feature for social media algorithms so we can bring affirmative consent to our screens, and turn our feeds on and off at will.'
''Giving people the ability to switch off the algorithm would help reduce the spread of misinformation, misogyny, extremism and harmful body image content.''
The Teach Us Consent site states:
Systematic radicalisation - It takes just 23 minutes for a social media mimicking a 16-18 year old boy to be fed misogynistic content, regardless of the account’s viewing preferences.
Misogynistic content is rife - 73% of Gen Z social-media users have misogynistic content online, with 70% saying they believe misogynistic language and content are increasing. This rises to 80% for women.
Sexual violence is increasing - Instances of reported sexual assault have increased by 10% in the last year in Australia. This accompanies a decrease in the overall reporting rate.
''If this is something you would like to support, sign the open letter to Anthony Albanese at teachusconsent.com and share their campaign with your friends.''
Australians are invited to add their name to an Open letter, calling for these changes, or find more information at: www.teachusconsent.com/fix-our-feeds
Chanel Contos, who founded Teach Us Consent, a campaign that mandated consent education in Australia, and was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Commission Young People's Medal in 2021, explains: