Key committee report into social media delayed over chair change

A highly anticipated report on social media’s effects on Australian society has been delayed after a ministerial shakeup.

A highly-anticipated report on the effects of social media on Australian society has been delayed.

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society has been tasked with probing the “influence and impacts” of social networks on Australians amid growing community concerns of wide-ranging corrosive effects.

But following the ministerial reshuffle last month, the head of the committee, Labor MP Kate Thwaites has been replaced after being promoted to an assistant minister.

New committee chair Labor MP Sharon Claydon penned a placeholder, published on Thursday, while the members worked to produced a “substantial interim report”.

A change in committee leadership has delayed a parliamentary inquiry from handing down its highly anticipated interim report on the effects of social media on Australian society. Picture: Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“Under the terms of the resolution to establish the committee, the committee is required to present an interim report on or before 15 August 2024, and its final report on or before 18 November 2024,” Ms Claydon wrote.

“However, due to changes in the office holders of the committee, the committee was unable to complete a substantive interim report as per the requirements of the resolution, and wishes to present this report to serve as its interim report.

“The committee intends to continue its work and present a substantial interim report in the coming weeks, and to hold several further public hearings to inform its final report in November.”

Social media has been under intense scrutiny for a number of reasons, from damaging mental health and instilling harmful attitudes in young people, to being a vector of disinformation and corroding Australia’s social wellness.

ASIO cited it as key contributor to deteriorating social cohesion when the security agency raised Australia’s threat level from possible to probably earlier this month.