Natalie Barr has criticized social media companies for not doing enough to remove explicit content after her son saw horrific footage of recent stabbings.
On Saturday, images of Joel Cauchi, 40, running through Westfield Bondi Junction with a 12-inch knife and his bloodied victims made the rounds on social media.
Just days later, a bishop was stabbed by a suspected terrorist in an incident that was accidentally broadcast live by the church.
“I don’t understand why they can’t take it down sooner,” an excited Barr said Friday.
“My son, a young adult, came home and said, ‘Mom, I just saw four people get stabbed today’… it’s the world we live in.”
Barr shares two sons with her husband Andrew: Hunter, 18, and Lachlan, 22.
Natalie Barr (centre) has criticized social media companies for not doing enough to remove graphic images and videos after her own son saw people being stabbed
On Saturday, images of Joel Cauchi, 40, running through Westfield Bondi Junction with a 12-inch knife and his bloodied victims made the rounds on social media
Social media companies are increasingly criticized for their role in sharing graphic content and disinformation.
“Turn it off if you can. Turn it off,” Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek told ABC News on Wednesday.
“I really don’t think the social media companies are doing as much as they should be doing to support police in their efforts to keep calm in the community.”
E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant told ABC Radio she would consider legal options against X and Meta, Facebook’s parent company, after they issued takedown notices for extreme material on Tuesday.
The companies have 24 hours to take action.
“I wouldn’t say they don’t care,” Grant said, adding: “Unfortunately, we’ve seen a decline in trust and safety across the platforms and across the industry.”
When asked by a listener if she had the power to shut down hour window had expired. expired.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested over what investigators called a religiously motivated terror attack on Monday at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in the city’s west.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with what investigators called a religiously motivated terror attack on Monday at Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in the city’s west side.
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and a priest were hospitalized with the boy.
Videos and photos of the attack, captured during a livestream of the sermon, were posted on X, sparking a riot outside the church.
The dramatic events at the church took place two days after Cauchi attacked shoppers, mainly women, at the Westfield Bondi Junction centre.
He was shot dead by the police.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns have both expressed concerns about the role of social media in spreading false information and sowing division.
