The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australia Society will hold its final public hearing on 30 October 2024.

The committee, chaired by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, tabled its second interim report last week, which focused on Meta’s decision to abandon deals under the News Media Bargaining Code, what this means for the consumption of news in Australia, and the impact of mis- and disinformation on our democracy and society.

Building on previous hearings where the committee heard from social media platforms, media organisations, and other stakeholders with experience of the harm caused by social media, the committee will now hear directly from the eSafety Youth Council and ReachOut Youth Advocates to provide important youth perspectives.

The committee will be seeking the views of these young people on issues such as age verification, the use of algorithms, and education about online safety.

The inquiry’s final report is due to be tabled on or before 18 November 2024.

Quotes attributable to Committee Chair Sharon Claydon:

“This final public hearing provides a platform for young people to share their insights and experiences about online safety directly with the committee.

“We have heard evidence from a wide range of stakeholders about the online harms facing Australians, particularly young people online, and now it is time to hear from young people themselves who have grown up with this technology.”