Sector leaders present urgent recommendations to make social media safer for young Australians

Yesterday, NEDC National Director Dr Sarah Trobe joined colleagues from the National Taskforce for Social Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders recommendations and key MPs to present key recommendations which aim to reduce harms associated with social media. 

Hosted by Zali Steggall OAM MP, with co-Chairs from the Parliamentary Friends of Eating Disorders, Susan Templeman MP and Andrew Wallace MP, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, lived experience representatives, and national and state-based organisations to discuss the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect young people online.

A call for reform to protect body image and mental health

The Taskforce presented five key recommendations to improve safety and accountability across social media platforms. These include:

·       Removal of pro-eating disorder and appearance-based cyberbullying content

·       Algorithm transparency and independent risk audits

·       Options for users to reset recommender algorithms and shield their accounts from harmful content

New research released by Dr Jasmine Fardouly from the University of Sydney found strong public support for these changes.

·       90% of Australians support the option to reset recommender algorithms

·       86% support the removal of cyberbullying content

·       85% support algorithm transparency and independent risk audits

These findings reflect growing concern about the impact of social media on young people’s body image and mental health. Research shows that exposure to appearance-based content can lead to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and poor mental health outcomes. Since 2012, eating disorders in 10–19 year olds in Australia have risen by 86%, and enquiries to the Butterfly National Helpline have increased by 275%.

Associate Professor Marilyn Bromberg, UWA Law SChool, presented legislative examples internationally which Australia can learn from to demand change from social media companies.

Collaboration for systemic change

The National Taskforce for Social Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders brings together leading voices in research, clinical care, lived experience, and advocacy, including representatives from thDeakin University, University of Sydney, University of Western Australia, Eating Disorders Queensland, Eating Disorders Families Australia, Butterfly Foundation, and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC).

Dr Sarah Trobe, NEDC National Director, contributed insights from the National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023–2033, which highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention through safe, inclusive, and evidence-informed environments both online and offline.

“The National Strategy calls for social media platform providers and media organisations to actively engage in eating disorder prevention, including inclusive language and imagery, changing algorithms, and enforcing bans on abuse and discrimination. The recommendations made by the Taskforce today help the translation of this Priority Action into reality. We must act on these modifiable risk factors. Dr Trobe said. 

Collective responsibility and next steps

While the Government’s recent ban on social media for users under 16 represents an important step, the Taskforce emphasised that broader reform is urgently needed. Social media platforms and content creators share responsibility in ensuring that online environments are supportive and safe for all users.

As lived experience representative Varsha Yajman shared, “You do not suddenly become social media savvy the day you turn 16. These are clear, actionable recommendations that might just prevent young people going through what I did.”

The Taskforce’s report sends a clear message that to protect the mental health and wellbeing of young Australians, social media reform must go beyond age restrictions to address harmful content, platform design, and algorithmic influence. 

Read the media release here

Read the full report here 

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