{
  "id": 4919261,
  "title": "Social media algorithm opt-in would curb 'manosphere', says advocate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/social-media-algorithm-opt-in-would-curb-manosphere-says-advocate",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-01T18:43:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-02/algorithm-social-media-sexism-manosphere/107104586"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chanel Contos, the chief executive of Teach Us Consent, is warning that tech giants may outsmart weaker attempts to regulate harmful social media algorithms. Contos is set to deliver a speech at the National Press Club, advocating for algorithmic feeds to be opt-in rather than opt-out. The Australian government is currently considering giving users more control over the content they see online through draft Digital Duty of Care laws, which are expected to be released later this month. Contos argues that an opt-in system would be essential in protecting young people, particularly 16-year-olds and other children, from exposure to misogynistic \"manosphere\" content and the spread of sexual violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports giving Australians more control over their online content but has not endorsed Contos' opt-in algorithm proposal. Contos will argue that an opt-out system would only serve as a \"first step\" and that the success of any reform hinges on the details, particularly the principle of affirmative consent. The advocate will highlight how algorithms essentially function as automated systems that determine what content users see and in what order, leading to the dissemination of harmful and misogynistic content. She will also connect these algorithmic harms to the ongoing efforts of schools to teach consent to young students, emphasizing that a yearly class is insufficient in changing attitudes towards sexual violence in schools when an \"addictive content-producing machine\" simultaneously targets teens with a contradictory message.",
  "summary": "Consent advocate Chanel Contos wants Australians to be able to opt out of algorithm-driven content.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}