EDITORIAL: Restraining Big Tech a big ask but worth having a crack

Being connected has never been easier.

We hold in our hands the means to instantly connect. Across the world.

Out digital devices can bring us closer to family. Friends. Sporting clubs. Job networks.

We can use them for research. Learning. Sharing music. Discussing films. We can enhance creative opportunities. Get involved in civic activities. Do our banking. Shopping. Holiday planning.

We can improve our sense of belonging.

And yes, we can catch a few really funny cat videos. And answer those questions like how to fix that leaky tap — for which we thank that guy on YouTube.

And hey, it can be fun. And uplifting. However, and it is a big however, there are significant downsides.

It can be highly addictive, and steal many hours each day that could be much more productively used.

And there is the very real harm that can be done.

Through bullying. Through pumping out harmful messaging around body image. About masculinity.

It can be a source of misinformation. Scams. Fraud.

It can expose us to a dark stream of intolerance, racism, misogyny, pornography and the worst kinds of violence.

And outright fakery.

It can feel desensitising and overwhelming.

And the tech giants have long operated without rules or controls, taking no responsibility for what they published.

In contrast, the mainstream media like ourselves are held accountable for what we publish, every second of every day.

We take that responsibility very seriously.

The tech giants have no interest in making their platforms safe: Safe for children, safe for adults, safe for information. Safe for truth.

The bottom line is the upbeat, inspirational and positive elements of social media can be swamped by the ugly.

The Albanese Government is having a go at changing things.

First there was the ban on social media accounts for children under 16.

And on Tuesday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells released for consultation their digital duty of care legislation.

The “my feed, my way” legislation would see online platforms forced to give Australian users a pop-up box to give them a clear choice on their algorithmic feed.

They will be able to choose to see only posts in a chronological order from their actual friends and the creators they follow or continue to let the app recommend personalised content.

Instead of tech companies just reacting to individual posts after they are published, they will be legally required to design their platforms, tools, and features to be safe from the very beginning

“It’s about putting choice back into the hands of Australians online,” Mr Albanese said.

Ms Wells said there was a “global reckoning coming for Big Tech”.

“They must do safety by design,” Ms Wells said.

It is early days for this latest legislative push.

Whether the proposal will work as the Government intends will take some time to emerge.

It is likely that there may be some unintended consequences, and it is certain there will be pushback from the tech companies.

But for the moment, good on the Albanese Government for having a crack.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by Editor-in-Chief Christopher Dore