Victoria Introduces Social Media Demasking Powers for Online Hara
· news
Victoria Announces New Social Media ‘Demasking’ Powers for Accounts Accused of Vilification
The Victorian government has proposed changes to social media regulations, granting the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal (Vcat) “demasking” powers to reveal the identities of account holders accused of online harassment. This move follows a global trend of increased scrutiny of social media companies’ impact on children’s mental health.
Critics argue that these reforms fall short of what is truly needed. Associate Professor Marilyn Bromberg of the University of Western Australia notes that the threshold for negligence claims remains unchanged for adult victims, leaving many without recourse. Furthermore, the focus solely on vilification and psychiatric harm overlooks other forms of online abuse, such as defamation and cyberbullying.
The proposed changes also lower the legal threshold for suing social media platforms and AI companies for negligence causing psychiatric harm to children. Currently, families must prove that a child’s injury is permanent and exceeds 10% impairment before pursuing damages. This requirement has been criticized as too onerous, making it difficult for families to seek justice when their children are harmed online.
The Victorian government’s initiative follows the landmark US lawsuit against Alphabet’s Google and Meta in 2026. The premier, Jacinta Allan, emphasized the need for stronger protections, stating that social media companies “design their platforms to be addictive” and children are paying the price. Research demonstrates the harms of social media addiction on young people’s mental health.
While these reforms represent a necessary step towards protecting children online, they are only a partial solution. The Victorian government should consider extending its efforts to address other forms of online abuse and develop more comprehensive regulations for social media companies operating in Australia.
As the country continues to navigate this complex landscape, it is essential to engage in a broader conversation about the responsibilities of tech giants towards their users, particularly children. This includes not only addressing online vilification but also exploring measures to mitigate addiction and promote healthy digital habits among young people.
Ultimately, the success of these reforms will depend on the outcome of consultations with Vcat, courts, and other stakeholders. Australia’s social media landscape demands more than just piecemeal solutions; it requires a cohesive approach that prioritizes children’s online safety and well-being above corporate interests.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
"The Victoria government's new social media demasking powers for online harassment are long overdue, but they don't go far enough in protecting vulnerable individuals. What's concerning is that these reforms focus solely on vilification and psychiatric harm, leaving other forms of online abuse unaddressed. A major blind spot in the proposed changes is their lack of clarity on how to hold AI companies accountable for amplifying toxic content. Without concrete measures to address this issue, we risk creating a patchwork of protections that fail to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape."
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While Victoria's new social media regulations aim to curb online harassment, they fall short in addressing the complexities of online abuse. By solely focusing on vilification and psychiatric harm, these reforms overlook the impact of defamation and cyberbullying on children. Moreover, the proposed changes still require families to prove permanent impairment exceeding 10% for negligence claims, which is a daunting hurdle. To effectively protect vulnerable populations, the government needs to broaden its scope to account for the full range of online harms, rather than piecemealing solutions.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While the Victorian government's proposed social media reforms aim to protect children from online harassment, they sidestep the elephant in the room: enforcement. By granting Vcat "demasking" powers and lowering the threshold for negligence claims against social media platforms, Victoria is placing responsibility squarely on companies to police themselves. Yet, we know that self-regulation has consistently failed to stem the tide of online abuse. Unless accompanied by robust penalties and clear guidelines for companies, these reforms risk becoming a hollow gesture, failing to address the root cause of the problem: our addiction to social media.