The eSafety Commissioner, an independent Australian Government regulator responsible for monitoring and enforcing online safety protections, has written to industry members demanding a plan by 3 October to protect children from high-impact content such as suicide and eating disorders.

The code would set standards for how app stores, porn sites, search engines, social networks, chat services and multiplayer gaming platforms screen content for suitability for users.

“Children’s exposure to violent and extreme pornography is a major concern for many parents and carers,” said eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant. She said the internet industry needed to play its part in setting effective barriers.

Measures to protect children from pornography may include age verification, default parental control requirements, and software that blurs or filters unwanted content.

Spokespeople for Google and Meta said they would work closely with the industry on the new code and continue to work with the eSafety Commissioner. Representatives for social network X and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters)