In the early days of social media, content from friends displayed chronologically was displayed in the timeline. With the evolution and needs of advertising, algorithms began to be introduced with content recommendations given based on previous user habits. In Australia, a new bill wants to be enacted that gives social media users the option to not be served algorithmic recommended content.
This is among the contents of the Bill that will place the responsibility to ensure that the digital content displayed to the public is good for them. Social media users should be given the option to turn off algorithmic recommendations if they do not need them. With the option given, the risk of inappropriate content being displayed can be reduced.
Australia is the country that pioneered the Bill that restricts the use of social media for users under 16 years of age in 2025. It became a template that was later followed by Malaysia and several other countries.
The option to turn off algorithmic recommendations and chronological timeline has been promised several times by Instagram but has not been activated for everyone. Meanwhile, TikTok has long offered a feature to reset the For You algorithm if it is no longer felt to be appropriate.
