Jesuit Social Services welcomes the introduction of the Federal Government's Digital Duty of Care bill into Parliament, but has called for stronger and more specific measures to proactively detect and respond to serious harms.
"Jesuit Social Services supports this move to take action against online harm, but it must not water down any protection that we already have in place," says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.
The bill does not include language requiring digital service providers to proactively detect and deter seriously harmful and illegal material or conduct, a key recommendation from Jesuit Social Services' submission to the draft bill in September.
"The online world is moving at lightning speed, and legislation needs to be able to accommodate that to keep Australians, our children in particular, safe. The flexibility that the bill provides the Government and eSafety Commissioner to respond to new and emerging harms is an important step, but the bill must also set strong, minimum requirements for industry to proactively detect and deter serious harm that is happening on their platforms," Ms Edwards said.
"Further, digital service providers cannot be relied on to mark their own homework - the bill must require them to engage with external experts as they undertake the required risk assessments."
In light of increasing concerns from the public around the impact of the manosphere and influencers who share misogynistic content, the requirement for digital service providers to address content that promotes hostile attitudes towards women and gender equality is critical. Providers must also be compelled to address content which promotes hostile attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community, and racist hate speech.
"Our children deserve a safe online environment, but we know they are being exposed to misogynistic, racist, homophobic and transphobic content online. That has to be stopped."
"The community expects digital service providers to start playing a major role in actively stopping online harm."
