- Peak body releases new report which calls on the Australian Government to mandate a safety by design approach for social media and AI platforms.
As Australians increasingly engage with online platforms and emerging technologies like AI, Suicide Prevention Australia today released its report on AI and Digital Safety. The report highlights the complexity of digital spaces: offering unprecedented opportunities for connection and support in suicide prevention, while also presenting risks that require nationwide attention and a cohesive government response.
With 82.5% of Australians actively using social media, and popular AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini seeing millions of searches, the digital landscape is undeniably shaping how people find and receive information, including around mental health and suicide prevention.
Developed from a roundtable discussion with experts from leading organisations providing suicide prevention services, and grounded in extensive research, Suicide Prevention Australia’s report calls for a safety by design approach, enforced transparency, and genuine co-design of policies to create safer online spaces and better protect Australians.
“We know the government is aware of the challenges the digital world poses, but we need a considered, national approach,” said Nieves Murray, CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia.
“Current responses, namely the looming social media age restrictions, while aiming to reduce harm overlook the significant positive impacts of digital connection and community, especially for young people.”
Results from the latest Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker survey revealed around one in three (34%) 18–24-year-olds experienced elevated distress due to social media, self-image, and bullying in the last 12 months. At the same time, over a third of young people were experiencing elevated distress due to social isolation and loneliness. These two figures highlight the need to make online spaces safer, while also not further isolating young people who use those spaces to connect. Action for young Australians is necessary, but this approach lacks the evidence-based, lived experience insights needed for an effective solution.
“While the social media ban aimed at young Australians requires focused attention, our digital engagement extends far beyond this demographic,” said Ms Murray.
“Instead of bans across social media for a specific age group, we need to limit risk across the entire population by promoting positive outcomes from digital and AI tools.
“For suicide prevention, digital platforms can make help-seeking more accessible and empower individuals in their help-seeking journey. When regulated effectively, especially with AI integration, these tools can be instrumental in modern suicide prevention efforts.
“For a geographically widespread and culturally diverse country like Australia, easily available services are crucial, and online resources are key in filling this gap.
“Digital spaces, with tools such as interactive online forums provide readily accessible, life-saving information and have the capability to foster a sense of connection and community. Safely integrating AI could further these benefits through the likes of personalised, timely support”, said Ms Murray.
The report also highlights the potential of AI in identifying individuals at risk and directing them to appropriate resources. While acknowledging limitations and risks, the roundtable agreed that safe and closely regulated AI implementation could profoundly impact suicide prevention efforts.
“We’re already seeing a trend of people turning to AI chatbots as therapists. The next wave of AI’s role in mental health and suicide prevention has begun and is unlikely to slow down,” said Ms Murray.
“Regulation of digital and AI tools isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s a must. Without control and transparency, we are leaving Australians susceptible to harmful content, bullying, scams and associated financial distress, and misinformation.”
The expert roundtable unanimously agreed that the federal government must require social media platforms and AI companies to adopt a safety by design approach that meets Australian expectations for a safe online environment.
This model would shift responsibility onto tech companies to ensure their platforms are set up to inherently promote safe use — reducing risks like cyberbullying, harmful algorithms, scams, and online harassment before they occur. Such laws would align Australia with protections already in place across Europe and the UK. Experts say this should include removing addictive features like endless scrolling and auto-play, as well as requiring platforms to undergo regular risk assessments and algorithm changes to minimise harm.
Transparency in social media algorithms and AI model training is a key component of this recommendation. The report calls for a transparency and accreditation scheme to support technology companies in achieving this.
Equally, policies related to digital and AI safety that impact suicide risk must be co-designed with diverse perspectives, recognising the varied and overlapping identities and experiences of individuals to ensure all relevant voices are heard.
“Without this critical factor, we risk instances where relevant voices aren’t heard – as seen with the upcoming under-16s social media ban, where there was minimal consultation with young people themselves,” said Ms Murray.
Suicide Prevention Australia’s report provides clear, evidence-based recommendations to help safeguard Australians and take the next crucial step in suicide prevention within our evolving digital world. Suicide Prevention Australia urges the government to listen and act.
“This isn’t just about policy, it’s about setting Australia up for a safe future with fewer lives lost by suicide,” said Ms Murray.
ENDS
ABOUT THE AI and DIGITAL SAFETY REPORT
This report was developed by Suicide Prevention Australia following a national roundtable with leading suicide prevention organisations. The roundtable explored the risks and opportunities of social media and AI in suicide prevention. Discussions focused on age-based social media restrictions, AI-driven suicide prevention tools, privacy, and ways to make digital environments safer. Insights from the roundtable, along with targeted research, shaped the report’s recommendations, which centre on safety by design, transparency, and co-design of digital policies to reduce suicide risk and improve online wellbeing for all Australians.To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to https://mindframe.org.au/
Media enquiries:
Amelia Hew 0410 591 134 ameliah@suicidepreventionaust.org
Alex Pursehouse 0423 196 136 or alexp@suicidepreventionaust.org
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body and we’ve been providing support for Australia’s suicide prevention sector for more than 30 years. We support and advocate for our members to drive continual improvement in suicide prevention policy, programs and services. Our reach is broad, including member organisations, governments, businesses, researchers, practitioners and those with lived experience. We are focused on an integrated approach to suicide prevention encompassing mental health, social, economic and community factors. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our vision of a world without suicide.
