Academics have highlighted some key issues ahead of the Federal Government's inquiry into social media impacts in Australia. 

Research put forth by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society (ADM+S) covers a wide array of issues, from facial recognition technology to misinformation on digital platforms, aiming to shape policy and promote transparency.

ADM+S's submission, led by Associate Investigator James Meese from RMIT University, provides insights into the limitations of facial recognition for age verification, the impact of Meta's decision to withdraw from the News Media Bargaining Code, and the spread of misinformation affecting Australian journalism. 

“The launch of the inquiry provided a great opportunity to synthesise all the critical research happening across our centre, and provide the committee with a series of evidence-based findings to consider,” Meese says. 

The submission highlights how algorithms, recommender systems, and corporate decisions on digital platforms influence what Australians see online. 

It also outlines news research methods to uncover harmful and potentially illegal advertising practices. 

“Research is providing much-needed transparency, and rigorous evidence on what advertising Australians encounter in their social media feeds, and how personalised feeds mean different people see very different kinds of ads,” says Professor Kimberlee Weatherall, a Chief Investigator at the University of Sydney node of ADM+S.

“It highlights the importance of independent, interdisciplinary research to inform public policy.”

Established in May 2024, the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society aims to make social media companies more transparent and accountable to the public. 

The Committee's interim report is due by 15 August 2024, with the final report expected by 18 November 2024. 

“Parliament needs to understand how social media companies dial up and down the content that supports healthy democracies, as well as the anti-social content that undermines public safety,” said Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has also submitted its concerns to the Parliamentary Inquiry. 

The AMA’s submission (PDF) highlights unintended health consequences of social media, such as its impact on children's wellbeing, population health literacy, the spread of misinformation, and the marketing of unhealthy products. 

Both submissions underline the necessity for evidence-based policy-making and the importance of understanding the complex impacts of social media on Australian society.