The Australian government is set to introduce new legislation this week aimed at increasing the responsibility of social media companies regarding the content hosted on their platforms. According to reports from the 'Insiders' program, the proposed laws will require these companies to actively identify and mitigate risks to users.

For adult users, the legislation focuses on restricting access to illegal content, including illegal pornography. For younger users, the scope is broader, with the government identifying approximately half a dozen additional areas of 'psychosocial harm.' This includes content related to body image and online bullying.

To enforce these standards, the government is proposing substantial financial penalties. Companies that fail to restrict harmful content could face fines exceeding $100 million. The legislation is also expected to address the role of algorithms in surfacing content, though specific details on how these will be regulated remain forthcoming as the bill is unveiled this week. While the government frames this as a necessary step to protect citizens, the move places significant pressure on tech platforms to overhaul their moderation practices and algorithmic transparency.