Australia’s Approach to Social Media in Global Conflicts – UNGA Third Committee

Delegation: Commonwealth of Australia
Committee: United Nations General Assembly Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Affairs)
Topic: Social Media in Shaping Global Conflicts
Date: March 16, 2025

I. Introduction

The Commonwealth of Australia reaffirms its commitment to promoting a stable and peaceful global order, recognizing the profound influence of social media in shaping contemporary conflicts. As a democratic nation with a vibrant digital economy, Australia sees social media as a double-edged sword: a medium for free expression and connection, but also a channel that can amplify disinformation, radicalization, and division—especially in conflict zones.

Guided by the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and our regional leadership in the Asia-Pacific, Australia seeks a balanced and cooperative approach to govern social media’s role in conflict dynamics. Our delegation supports multilateral solutions that uphold freedom of speech, enhance digital resilience, and ensure accountability—so social media can serve as a force for peace, not discord.

II. National Background and Position

Australia has firsthand experience with social media’s dual impact on national security and social cohesion. Our 2021 Online Safety Act established strong protections against online threats, while our eSafety Commissioner—a global first—actively regulates harmful digital content, including during periods of crisis.

Australia has invested AUD 500 million since 2020 to counter disinformation and bolster cybersecurity, following incidents of foreign interference via social platforms. Regionally, we’ve witnessed the role of social media in escalating violence, as seen in Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis.

Internationally, Australia is a vocal advocate for responsible digital governance. We co-led the Christchurch Call to Action following the 2019 attacks in New Zealand, targeting the spread of terrorist content online. We acknowledge the growing role of social media in conflicts—from Ukraine to Syria—where platforms are used to disseminate propaganda, mobilize extremists, and destabilize fragile states.

However, Australia opposes blanket censorship and champions open dialogue as a democratic cornerstone. We believe that managing social media’s impact on conflict requires collaborative, rights-respecting governance involving states, tech companies, and civil society.

III. Proposed Solutions

1. Global Digital Conflict Charter

Australia calls for a UN-led charter establishing clear norms for social media in conflict zones. This would:

• Mandate transparency in content moderation
• Prohibit state-sponsored disinformation campaigns
• Require platforms to report escalating conflict trends
  A UN task force would oversee implementation and compliance.

2. International Social Media Resilience Fund

Australia proposes a UN-administered fund to support digital literacy and counter-radicalization efforts in vulnerable states.

• Fund would finance training programs and civil society initiatives
• Australia pledges AUD 50 million to support Asia-Pacific priorities and beyond

3. Tech Accountability Partnership

We urge a UN-brokered partnership with major social media companies (e.g., Meta, X, TikTok) to:

• Develop real-time conflict mitigation tools (e.g., AI content filters, early-warning systems)
• Enforce binding commitments to swiftly remove illegal or inciting content
  This builds upon the Christchurch Call and promotes proactive corporate responsibility.

4. Regional Digital Peace Hubs

Australia supports the establishment of regional hubs under UN auspices to:

• Monitor and address social media’s role in conflicts
• Collaborate with local governments and NGOs
• Tailor counter-narrative strategies and digital peacebuilding tools
  Australia expresses readiness to host such a hub in the Asia-Pacific.

5. Protection of Digital Human Rights

We propose a UN resolution reaffirming that freedom of expression and access to information are protected online, even amid conflict.

• Guidelines would discourage overregulation
• Ensure platforms remain spaces for civic dialogue, not state repression

IV. Conclusion

The Commonwealth of Australia is committed to ensuring that social media is a tool for peace and resilience, not a weapon of conflict. With proven leadership in digital safety and regional cooperation, Australia is well-positioned to help shape global standards. We look forward to working with fellow Member States to develop an inclusive framework that addresses the risks of social media in conflict settings while protecting democratic values and human rights.

Signed,
Delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia
United Nations General Assembly Third Committee