The Australian federal government is proposing new digital laws that would let users opt out of social media algorithms, alongside possible bans on pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation, as it seeks to curb violent, misogynistic content online. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek announced the move days after a 16-year-old girl in New South Wales died in an incident reportedly linked to sexual choking, arguing that harmful algorithms are "wrecking our young boys" by normalising unhealthy ideas about relationships. The proposals form part of Labor's planned digital duty of care legislation, which would require tech firms to proactively prevent online harms rather than simply respond to complaints.

Plibersek cited a claim that it takes an average of 23 minutes for users to be shown violent misogynistic content online, and noted that 60 per cent of young people report having experienced strangulation during sexual encounters, stating there is "no safe way to strangle someone." She said the government is examining a recent $18 billion (US) Meta settlement in the US involving child safety features, as well as UK laws criminalising strangulation and suffocation depictions in pornography, an approach NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has also urged Albanese to adopt. Separately, the government named 14 members, including activist Chanel Contos, anti-violence campaigner Tarang Chawla and criminologist Hayley Boxall, to a new Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council, which will hold its first meeting within the coming week.