15 August 2024
Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian SocietyInterim report
1.1The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society (committee) was appointed by resolution of the Senate on 15 May 2024 and resolution of the House of Representatives on 16 May 2024, to inquire into and report on the influence and impacts of social media on Australian society, with reference to:
(a)the use of age verification to protect Australian children from social media;
(b)the decision of Meta to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code;
(c)the important role of Australian journalism, news and public interest media in countering mis and disinformation on digital platforms;
(d)the algorithms, recommender systems and corporate decision making of digital platforms in influencing what Australians see, and the impacts of this on mental health;
(e)other issues in relation to harmful or illegal content disseminated over social media, including scams, age-restricted content, child sexual abuse and violent extremist material; and
(f)any related matters.
Conduct of the committee's inquiry
1.2The committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to relevant stakeholders and other interested parties inviting them to make a written submission by 28 June 2024.
1.3The committee received 217 submissions, as well as additional information and answers to questions on notice.
1.4The committee has held five public hearings in Canberra:
Friday, 21 June 2024;
Tuesday, 25 June 2024;
Friday, 28 June 2024;
Tuesday, 2 July 2024; and
Wednesday, 10 July 2024.
1.5Under the terms of the resolution to establish the committee, the committee is required to present an interim report on or before 15 August 2024, and its final report on or before 18 November 2024.
1.6However, due to changes in the office holders of the committee, the committee was unable to complete a substantive interim report as per the requirements of the resolution, and wishes to present this report to serve as its interim report. The committee intends to continue its work and present a substantial interim report in the coming weeks, and to hold several further public hearings to inform its final report in November.
Yours sincerely
Ms Sharon Claydon MP
Chair