Australia’s first social media mass shooting sparks platform response

At AusNewsLanka, we aim to keep the Australian community informed with timely updates.

The deadly Bondi Beach attack, which killed 15 people, became Australia’s first mass shooting to spread rapidly through short-form video and social media.

Videos began appearing on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram within hours and continued to circulate in the days after. Edited clips have also appeared in news coverage, usually with warnings. The eSafety Commissioner has received a large number of complaints and has reminded platforms of their responsibilities. Takedown orders have not yet been issued, but remain an option.

Here’s how major platforms are handling the content:

Meta (Facebook, Instagram, Threads)

Meta is adding “sensitive content” warnings to relevant footage and limiting access to users aged 18 and over. Content that praises or supports the attack or the attackers is banned. Meta is also working with fact-checkers in Australia and liaising with police, eSafety officials and community groups. Users can reduce exposure by unfollowing accounts or marking posts as “not interested”.

TikTok

TikTok says violent or graphic videos are not allowed and are being removed when they breach its rules. Users can report content and control what they see by blocking accounts, using filters or marking videos they don’t want to view.

YouTube

YouTube is monitoring uploads closely and promoting verified news sources in search and recommendations. Violent or graphic material without clear context is not permitted. Some content may be age-restricted and shown with warnings, and will not play automatically. Users can also block accounts or flag content they wish to avoid.

Reddit

Reddit’s safety teams are removing posts that break its policies, including graphic footage and content that promotes hate or violence. The platform says it is taking steps to limit further spread. Users can mute subreddits or block accounts to avoid related material.

Authorities continue to watch how platforms respond as investigations and community recovery efforts continue.

Stay tuned with Aus News Lanka – the leading platform for news for Australians.