Key Takeaways
- Senior Labor minister Tanya Plibersek urges Australia to “very seriously” consider banning depictions of strangulation or suffocation in pornography, following the UK’s criminalisation of such material.
- A 2024 study shows 57 % of 18‑ to 35‑year‑olds have experienced strangulation during sex, and a 16‑year‑old Sydney girl’s death is being investigated as a suspected sexual‑choking incident.
- Advocates warn that pornographic portrayals normalise a dangerous act that can cause brain injury, aneurysms, unconsciousness or death, with no safe way to strangle someone.
- Concerns extend to social media algorithms that push extremist, misogynistic content to young users within minutes, prompting calls for an opt‑in model for algorithmic feeds.
- The federal government is also examining a moratorium on the import of smart glasses and other wearable recording devices that enable covert filming, citing privacy risks and the need for safeguards.
Introduction
Australia’s Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has signaled that the nation should “very seriously” examine banning pornographic depictions of strangulation or suffocation. Her remarks come amid rising alarm over the normalisation of choking during sexual activity, especially among young people, and follow a tragic case involving a 16‑year‑old Sydney girl whose death is being treated as a suspected sexual‑choking act.
Context of the Tragic Incident
The death of the teenage girl has intensified advocacy for stricter controls on pornographic content that mimics potentially lethal acts. Police are treating the incident as a possible sexual choking episode, which has highlighted how easily such behaviours can be accessed and imitated through online adult material. The case has become a rallying point for politicians and advocacy groups demanding urgent legislative action.
Evidence of Prevalence Among Youth
A 2024 study cited by Minister Plibersek found that 57 % of respondents aged 18 to 35 reported having experienced strangulation in a sexual context. This figure underscores how widespread the practice has become, suggesting that exposure to pornographic portrayals may be influencing real‑world behaviour. The statistic was presented as evidence that the issue is not isolated but rather a concerning trend among young adults.
UK Precedent and Legislative Model
Last year the United Kingdom made it a criminal offence to possess or publish pornography that depicts strangulation or suffocation. Plibersek pointed to this measure as a workable model for Australia, arguing that the UK’s approach demonstrates that governments can regulate harmful adult content without infringing on legitimate freedom of expression. She urged Australian policymakers to examine the UK’s legislation closely when considering similar reforms.
Minister Plibersek’s Assessment of Harm
Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders program, Plibersek declared, “There is something wrong with a situation where 60 % of young people say they’ve experienced strangulation,” adding that such acts are “not sex education. It’s not real life.” She emphasized that there is “no safe way to strangle someone,” noting the risk of long‑term brain damage, aneurysms, unconsciousness, or even death from a single act.
Broader Policy Context: Ending Violence Against Women
The minister’s comments fit within the forthcoming five‑year national plan to end violence against women, which officials acknowledge must go beyond merely accelerating existing initiatives. Plibersek argued that addressing the normalisation of choking in pornography is a necessary component of a comprehensive strategy to curb sexual violence and protect vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents.
NSW Liberal Leader’s Call to Action
NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane echoed the minister’s concerns, writing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to urge an urgent ban on pornographic depictions of strangulation. Sloane warned that when pornography shows an act capable of causing brain injury, unconsciousness or death, it should not be dismissed as mere adult entertainment. She stressed that waiting for another family tragedy before acting is unacceptable.
Medical Risks of Non‑Fatal Strangulation
Both Plibersek and Sloane highlighted the medical dangers of non‑fatal strangulation, including cerebral hypoxia, traumatic brain injury, and the potential for aneurysms. They stressed that even when a choking episode does not result in death, it can produce lasting neurological harm, reinforcing the argument that such acts should never be trivialised or eroticised in media.
Influence of Social Media Algorithms
The discussion extended to the role of social media platforms in amplifying harmful content. A 2024 study found that, on average, young boys are served extremely misogynistic material within 23 minutes of downloading apps such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Plibersek acknowledged that algorithms perpetuate dangerous narratives and noted growing advocacy for making algorithmic feeds opt‑in only for all users.
Advocacy for Opt‑In Algorithms
Activist Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, has launched a campaign urging the federal government to “fix our feeds” by requiring users to actively choose whether they receive algorithmically curated content. Contos cited polling showing 71 % of Australians support such a move, arguing that it would reduce young people’s exposure to extremist and misogynistic material that can shape attitudes toward sex and violence.
Government Response on Digital Duty of Care
Plibersek said discussions are underway regarding how an opt‑in algorithm model could be incorporated into the upcoming digital duty of care bill. While the government remains open to the idea, officials are consulting with stakeholders to determine practical implementation details, balancing user autonomy with the need to curb harmful content dissemination.
National Cabinet’s Acknowledgement of Violence Rates
Earlier in the week, national cabinet convened and acknowledged that rates of intimate‑partner homicide and sexual violence remain “unacceptably high.” Leaders agreed on priorities for the next five‑year plan to combat these issues, signalling a broader political will to address the root causes of gender‑based violence, including the influence of pornographic and online media.
Smart Glasses and Covert Filming Concerns
Parallel to the pornography debate, the federal government is considering a moratorium on the import of smart glasses that can discreetly record video, audio and images. These devices resemble ordinary eyewear but enable surreptitious filming with a simple button press, raising significant privacy and consent issues.
Push for Import Moratorium
The Greens, supported by several crossbenchers, have called for a halt on the import of smart glasses and other wearable recording devices for at least 12 months, arguing that stricter privacy protections must be enacted before such technology proliferates. They contend that a temporary pause would allow lawmakers to catch up with rapid technological advances.
Minister Plibersek’s Remarks on Safeguards
Plibersek labelled any use of the glasses “really troubling,” especially because some models allow users to disable the filming light, making covert recording virtually undetectable. She stressed that if the devices are to be permitted, robust safeguards must govern their use, ensuring that individuals cannot be filmed without their knowledge or consent.
Attorney‑General’s Update and Ongoing Consultation
The minister revealed that the Attorney‑General is due to deliver an update on the government’s position regarding smart glasses shortly. Ongoing consultations aim to shape legislation that balances innovation with privacy, potentially leading to standards that require visible indicators when recording is active.
Conclusion: Coordinated Action Needed
Australia faces intersecting challenges: the normalisation of dangerous sexual acts in pornography, the proliferation of extremist content via opaque algorithms, and the rise of covert wearable recording technologies. Minister Plibersek’s call for a serious examination of banning strangulation depictions, alongside advocacy for opt‑in algorithmic feeds and a potential moratorium on smart glasses, reflects a comprehensive approach to protecting young people, curbing sexual violence, and safeguarding privacy in the digital age. Policymakers now have a clear evidence base and public support to enact measures that address these harms decisively.