Social media and digital services have become central to our daily lives.

From sharing experiences with friends and family, to shopping, ordering meals, learning new skills, connecting with likeminded communities and engaging in political discourse.

Increasingly, we’re living and working in online spaces that remain remarkably unregulated.

This month the Albanese government published a draft of its long-awaited Digital Duty of Care legislation. I’ve worked with experts, industry, civil society and my local community over many months to determine the requirements of a strong Digital Duty of Care.

Here’s my initial response to the government’s exposure draft.

Australians recognise that our online spaces – particularly social media – are harmful and addictive.

When asked about social media’s impact on their friends and family, the 1200 respondents to my community survey were five times more likely to say that its impact was negative than positive.

More than 90 per cent believed that social media companies should take more responsibility to address the long-term harms they cause.

The Digital Duty of Care places a responsibility on online services to proactively identify and limit the harms that they cause. This is great news – and is much needed.

To comply with this duty, online services like social media companies, search........

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