Why algorithm reform should be central to Labor’s Digital Duty of Care bill

Why algorithm reform should be central to Labor’s Digital Duty of Care bill

As Labor prepares to introduce its Digital Duty of Care legislation this week, concerns are growing over algorithms exposing young people to harmful online content. An RMIT expert explains why platforms prioritise polarising content for profit and why greater user control is needed.

Dr George Buchanan, School of Computing Technologies:  

“Computing research has long established how to ensure people view as much online content as possible on social media. Polarising content drives views and is prioritised to bring social media companies more income.  

“We know from released source code of X, formerly Twitter, that some extreme viewpoints are boosted artificially, and the views of minority communities are often artificially muted. 

“Social media companies, and some political parties that benefit from polarising algorithms, are currently arguing to preserve the current system, which over-represents misogynistic and anti-science views, deliberate trolling and provocative content. 

“This comes at a cost to the public, who bear the consequences. The current lack of regulation requires users to be subjected to algorithms that drive up the number of views and increase social media income, but this results in significant negative social consequences such as poor mental health, and hence government costs.  

“Polarising algorithms draw parallels with high-sugar foods or additives in cigarettes. While they can lead to either more enjoyment or stronger engagement in the short term, they cause long-term damage and predictably leave the taxpayer with the consequences. 

“It’s not unreasonable to give people the right to not be force‑fed content they didn’t choose – especially when the long‑term social and economic costs fall on the public.” 

Prof. George Buchanan is a world-leading researcher in how people interact with complex information, particularly in the context of sensitive settings such as health and misinformation. 

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

12 October 2026

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