Parliament probes social media's role in extremism after MP attacked
A parliamentary inquiry will examine how social media drives Australians toward extremism. This follows an attack on MP Helen Haines.
Helen Haines is in hospital fighting for her life. A parliamentary committee is investigating how social media inflames politics and radicalises young Australians.
ASIO told the inquiry that mainstream social media actively spreads extremist content. The agency says algorithms trap users in echo chambers.
They see no other viewpoints. This speeds up radicalisation.
Young people are especially vulnerable. The government has already banned under-16s from social media.
It plans to require platforms to let users opt out of algorithmic feeds. Labor argues that a feed from your friends could replace algorithms.
This could restore social media's original purpose: connecting communities rather than dividing them.
Why it mattersThe inquiry outcome will shape whether Australia moves faster to regulate algorithms. It will also shape what responsibility platforms have for radicalisation.
AustraliaAustralian parliamentarians and young people face increasing risks from social media-driven extremism; government policy changes are now in motion.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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