The Australian government has proposed a new policy called My Feed, My Way, which would require social media platforms to give users over 16 years old a choice between two types of content feeds. One would be based on personalized algorithmic recommendations, while the other would only include content from accounts the user has intentionally followed. The policy was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Anika Wells on September 8 as part of a larger initiative called the Digital Duty of Care. This effort aims to increase user control over online experiences and includes regulations for search engines, online games, messaging apps, and AI chatbots. It also introduces specific protections for users under 18, targeting harmful content such as material promoting eating disorders, pornography, and harassment. The policy addresses a shift in how social media platforms operate. Traditionally, users built a "social graph" by choosing which accounts to follow. However, platforms now often use algorithms to recommend content based on user behavior, such as watching, sharing, or commenting. This has led to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube prioritizing content from accounts that users haven’t explicitly followed, creating highly personalized feeds. The new policy seeks to reintroduce user choice by allowing them to opt for a feed based on followed accounts rather than algorithmic suggestions. Under My Feed, My Way, social media platforms would need to clearly present the choice to users and respect their decisions. However, the effectiveness of the policy depends on how the "default feed" is defined. Platforms could still offer algorithmic recommendations in other areas of the app, such as Reels, Explore, or notifications, even if users choose a feed based on followed accounts. Other unclear aspects include the placement of advertisements and whether platforms could suggest accounts between posts the user has already chosen to follow. The way users are prompted to make a choice is a crucial part of the policy. If users must explicitly consent to the recommendation feed before it is activated, the impact on how people use social media could be more significant. The design of the interface, including how choices are presented, could influence user decisions. There is concern that platforms might use design elements to subtly encourage one option over another. The regulation is part of a broader effort to manage how content is designed and produced on digital platforms. It considers the effects of content repetition, recommendation algorithms, and interface design on user behavior. For users under 16, the initiative includes deactivating features like algorithmic personalization and infinite scrolling, along with existing restrictions on social media access. Failure to comply with the policy could lead to substantial fines, with the eSafety Commissioner overseeing enforcement. The policy could reshape how audiences are distributed among creators, media, and brands. It might restore the value of the "follow" button, but it could also make it harder for new creators to gain visibility. The economic impact on major platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube could be significant, depending on how many users choose the limited feed. Australia's approach is similar to regulations in the European Union and the United Kingdom, where the Digital Services Act and the Online Safety Act have introduced measures to regulate online content and protect users. The United Kingdom has announced plans to adopt the Australian model, banning social networks for those under 16 starting in 2027. France, however, has faced challenges in implementing similar laws due to constitutional restrictions. The success of My Feed, My Way remains uncertain, but the existing ban on social networks for minors has already been implemented. If the choice between a social graph and algorithmic recommendations becomes a real feature in Australia, other governments may follow, arguing that what is technically possible in Canberra should also be achievable elsewhere.