MELBOURNE: Six social media companies have failed to remove pro-eating disorder content in a breach of their own policies.

New research conducted by Deakin University, Reset. Tech and backed by the Butterfly foundation found YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X and Pinterest “can do better to protect children from harmful content, but they do not”.

Using “sock puppet” accounts based in Germany, Poland and Italy, the researchers reported more than 1000 pieces of content across the platforms. Of the 225 items flagged on X, just 10 were made unavailable while almost half of the 217 pieces logged on TikTok were taken down within a week – but applied no warning or restriction labels.

Under Labor’s proposed digital duty of care bill, to be introduced to parliament this week, online platforms would have to prevent users from harm, including children from pro-eating disorder content.