The fight to switch off your algorithm

In this episode of The Guardian Today, Chanel Contos addresses the alarming impact of social media algorithms on mental health and societal issues, particularly regarding sexual violence among teenagers in Australia. After realizing the need for better consent education, Chanel played a pivotal role in changing the Australian curriculum to mandate consent education.

Now, she's tackling the issue of algorithms, which often perpetuate misogyny and harmful content through their design. Chanel’s organization, Teach Us Consent, has launched a campaign called Fix Our Feeds, advocating for a new bill that will give users the ability to opt in or out of algorithm-driven content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

The episode explores the data indicating a rise in sexual violence among teens and how algorithms feed problematic content, especially to young boys and girls. Chanel explains the necessity of giving users a choice over their media consumption and the public support behind this campaign in Australia. She shares insights into the legislative process, the reactions of big tech companies, and the broader implications of regulating digital platforms to protect young users.