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Australia proposes an off switch for recommended content feeds

Australia's proposal would require social media platforms to let users switch off recommended content, as the debate over addictive feeds reaches families everywhere; the switch itself is still just an idea.

On air: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 2:26 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · World

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 2:26 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Australia — Photo: Reto Stöckl / NASA Goddard Space Flight Center · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “Toxic algorithms wouldn't let them go - now Australia wants an off switch”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 2:26 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Gloria Vance and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Australia.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCToxic algorithms wouldn't let them go - now Australia wants an off switch

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAustralia has proposed a switch that would force social media platforms to let users turn off recommended content, according to the BBC.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt is aimed at addictive feeds.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA switch. So the feed has been running this whole time with no off button?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorUsers can scroll past it, but the platforms decide what shows up next. This proposal would hand that choice back to the user.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorQuestion two. Does this affect me, someone with excellent self-control?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThis is an Australian proposal, so nothing changes for American viewers today. The BBC calls it a debate affecting families everywhere.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd what happens next? Does the switch come with a snooze button?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorNobody knows yet. A snooze button is exactly the problem. Chip, what does America have?

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