We’ve all heard the saying “comparison is the thief of joy”. But. in the age of scrolling, swiping and endless filters, it’s also quietly become a public health concern. Now, Australia’s leading body image experts are sounding the alarm, saying social media reform needs to go beyond age bans. And straight to the source of the problem. This month, the National Taskforce for Social Media, Body Image and Eating Disorders presented the Federal Government with an urgent set of recommendations aimed at making social media safer for everyone. Especially young Australians. The move follows the Government’s recently announced ban on social media for under-16s. A move which experts have welcomed as a start, but say doesn’t go far enough.
The data is sobering. Exposure to appearance-based content is directly linked to body dissatisfaction, poor mental health and, in some cases, the onset of eating disorders. Since 2012, eating disorders among Australians aged 10–19 have risen by 86%. The Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline has seen a staggering 275% surge in calls across all age groups in that same period.
At Parliament House, hosted by MP Zali Steggall OAM, alongside co-chairs Susan Templeman MP and Andrew Wallace MP, the National Taskforce for Social Media revealed five actionable steps to make online spaces healthier and less harmful. Among them: the removal of pro–eating disorder and cyberbullying content, greater algorithm transparency, and giving users the ability to reset their feeds or filter triggering content.
“These are clear, achievable changes that could make a huge difference,” said Dr Hannah Jarman, Chair of the Taskforce. “Almost 90% of young people in Australia worry about their body image – and social media is a major contributor. Our goal is to protect their mental health by holding platforms accountable for the content and algorithms shaping young minds.”
New research presented by Dr Jasmine Fardouly from the University of Sydney shows the public overwhelmingly agrees. According to the findings, 90% of Australians support the option to reset recommender algorithms, 86% want cyberbullying and appearance-based abuse removed, and 85% back transparency and independent audits of social media algorithms.
For Varsha Yajman, a National Taskforce for Social Media member with lived experience of an eating disorder, the recommendations hit close to home. “Social media had a huge impact on the development of my eating disorder,” she said. “Even with the ban in place, both platforms and creators still have a responsibility to make digital spaces safer. You don’t suddenly become social media savvy the day you turn 16.”
MPs across parties echoed the urgency. “Social media is taking a serious toll on the body image and mental health of young Australians,” said Andrew Wallace MP. “If Big Tech won’t clean up its act, the Government must step in and do it for them.”
The message from experts, advocates and those with lived experience is clear. It’s time for social media to stop being a beauty contest and start being accountable.
Because when algorithms profit off insecurity, it’s not just self-esteem that suffers – it’s lives.
For the full recommendations from the National Taskforce for Social Media, visit butterfly.org.au.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact:
- Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or support@butterfly.org.au
- Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline: 1300 550 236
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (for urgent support)