Plibersek indicates support for ban on choking in pornography

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has suggested her support for a ban on the depiction of strangulation and suffocation in pornography. This comes in the wake of the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl, believed to have been linked to a sexual choking incident. Advocates have been pushing for such a ban following the tragic event.

The government is currently consulting on its digital duty of care bill, which could compel major tech companies to actively prevent potential harm on their platforms. Plibersek emphasized the need to take the issue very seriously, noting that a 2024 study found that 57% of 18 to 35-year-olds have experienced strangulation in the bedroom.

In the UK, a similar ban has already been enacted, making it a criminal offense to possess or publish pornography featuring strangulation or suffocation. Plibersek urged Australia to seriously consider following suit, highlighting the prevalence of the act, with 60% of young people reporting they've experienced strangulation. She stressed that there is no safe way to strangle someone, pointing to potential long-term brain damage or aneurysms in non-fatal cases.

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane also added her voice to the call for a ban, urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to introduce the measure urgently. Sloane criticized pornography for depicting acts capable of causing serious harm, arguing that young people are exposed to sexual violence online without fully understanding the risks.

Plibersek acknowledged the role of social media algorithms in perpetuating harmful narratives, particularly among young people and women, and indicated openness to an opt-in model for algorithm regulation as part of the government's digital duty of care bill.