The Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, announced on Saturday, July 19th, 2026, plans to draft new laws aimed at combating online trolls and making it easier for parents to sue technology companies over psychiatric harm caused to their children.

Premier Allan stated the legislation is designed to protect families from the detrimental effects of online platforms. She highlighted parents' feelings of powerlessness in managing their children's exposure to social media, saying, "[Parents] do feel powerless, and powerless on a couple of fronts," and noting, "How quickly kids become obsessed with these online platforms … I see it in my own household."

Under the proposed changes, which the government aims to introduce to parliament before the November 2026 state election, parents would face fewer barriers when taking legal action against big tech companies. Currently, parents must prove their child has suffered a permanent impairment of at least 10 percent to bring a case to court.

The legislation, described as Australia-first, will also include measures to unmask anonymous online trolls and clamp down on users breaching Victoria's anti-vilification laws. Premier Allan explained that the laws would allow authorities to force social media companies to reveal the identity of anonymous users, "opening the path of legal action."

She further remarked on the misuse of online speech, stating, "Too often, words can be used as a weapon to spew out far too much online hate," much of which is hidden behind online anonymity.

However, a cyber safety expert criticized the plan, suggesting it reflects the Victorian government's lack of understanding of the digital world.

Sources