Public trust in social media is falling sharply across the country, creating concern about the influence and integrity of these platforms in daily life. A recent report shows that as digital communication becomes more central, faith in the technology behind it is fading. This shift is increasingly visible in public opinion and government policy.
The Ethics Index, published each year by the Governance Institute of Australia, measures how Australians perceive the ethical behaviour of various sectors. According to the latest findings, social media and AI are among the most negatively viewed industries, ranked well below traditional media outlets. The index reveals that between 20% and 25% of Australians now consider social media platforms to be very unethical, reflecting a significant breakdown in trust.
TikTok and X are facing particular criticism, with TikTok rated the least ethical by those surveyed. X has also seen a major drop in public perception since the pandemic. Negative views are strongest among Baby Boomers and Gen X, but even Millennials, who are usually more engaged online, are losing trust in these platforms.
While confidence in social media declines, traditional forms of media are gaining ground. Free-to-air television, radio and podcasts are increasingly seen as more trustworthy. This growing divide in perceived ethics may influence where Australians choose to access news and entertainment in the coming years.
The government appears to be taking action in response to these concerns, introducing new legislation that begins this December. The Social Media Minimum Age law will prevent under-16s from opening accounts on social platforms. Officials say the law aims to protect children online while promoting real-world social skills and stronger digital literacy.
