Social Media and Online Safety

March 2022

© Commonwealth of Australia 2022
ISBN: 978-1-76092-374-7

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Chair's Foreword

Members

Terms of Reference

Abbreviations

List of Recommendations

1. Introduction

  Recent inquiries
  Scope of the inquiry
  Conduct of the inquiry

2. You Have A New Notification

  Overview
  Definition of ‘online safety’ and ‘online harm’
  Typology of online harm
  Prevalence of online harm
  Who is most at risk online?
  Repercussions of harms experienced online
  Impact of COVID-19 on online safety
  Committee comment

3. I'm Concerned About This Post

  Overview
  Overview of social media companies’ online safety responses
  How does social media technology create harm?
  Privacy, anonymity and online harm
  Parental control features
  Limited reporting requirements
  Committee comment

4. Policing the Trolls

  Introduction
  Legislative framework governing online safety
  Online safety policy and programs
  International jurisdictions and online safety
  Further change to consolidate legislative powers
  Voluntary v. mandatory requirements
  Committee comment

5. Online Safety 2.0

  Introduction
  Balancing freedom online with harm prevention
  A statutory duty of care
  The best interests of the child as a guiding principle
  Education and support
  Government leadership in addressing online safety
  Committee comment

A. Submissions

B. Exhibits

C. Public Hearings

Labor members' additional comments

  Disinformation and misinformation

Additional comments by Craig Kelly

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Select Committee on Social Media and Online Safety
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6277 4871
smos.reps@aph.gov.au