Amelie Szczecinski is one of six talented young Australians who will travel to the UN General Assembly in New York next week as part of the Global Voices project.

They take with them policy position papers on highly topical legal issues. Over the coming days we will get a glimpse into the ideas and ambitions of these remarkable young leaders.

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My name is Amelie, and I am part of this year’s Global Voices United Nations General Assembly Sixth Delegation. I am heading to New York to attend the UNGA and am writing a policy proposal focused on the connection between extremism and modern technology. Specifically, this focuses on the connection between social media recommender algorithms and the promotion of extremist content.

I am in the fourth year of a double degree in law and international relations at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. My studies, volunteering and experiences abroad have led me to where I am today.

In 2024, I was lucky enough to study European Union Law in Ghent, Belgium, where I was also able to attend the European Commission. This was particularly eye-opening to me as I learnt about supranational law (which transcends multiple boundaries) and the collaboration of member states in this process. This made me eager to take the next step and explore international law and the policy that surrounds it.

My experience interning at the Perth US Consulate further deepened this interest, as I was exposed to diplomacy, international relations and policy in practice, not just within a university environment. Today, I am eager to take my experience to the global stage with Global Voices and learn from leaders in this area.

UNGA Sixth represents an opportunity for me to engage directly with the processes of international diplomacy and lawmaking and to learn from global leaders and experts, to inform my policy paper. This is an opportunity for me to practically connect both my law and my international relations degrees, applying what I have learnt to real-world policy discussions.

I was first drawn to the area of my policy paper through some of my international relations classes, where I studied the modern evolution of radicalisation and extremism, particularly in relation to the internet. I learnt from a number of case studies which outlined the role the internet and social media play in exposing individuals to extremist content and, sometimes, causing radicalisation. What stood out to me was research displaying how recommender algorithms can choose what kind of information individuals are exposed to, subtly shaping their beliefs and sometimes reinforcing extremist perspectives. A source I read referred to this as a “digital or algorithmic ‘drift’ towards radicalisation”. Coupled with my study, observing radicalisation and extremism in the media, both locally and abroad, has made me aware of the rapidly evolving nature and relevance of this issue, making me eager to address it in policy.

My policy paper is focused on recommender algorithms (specifically used in social media) and their role in promoting extremist content. While recommender algorithms traditionally work to prioritise content based on user data and engagement, tailoring content to user preference, they can also have a harmful effect. Social media algorithms can expose individuals to, and continue to feed, extremist material, gradually reinforcing harmful ideologies and continuing the spread of online extremism. While Australia does have some policy in this area, it is largely reactive, working on the removal of extremist material once it has spread. Additionally, Australia does not have any specific algorithm-focused legislation, despite the increasing relevance of such technology.

My paper recommends that Australia amend the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) to require social media companies within the country to be subject to independent algorithmic auditing as a form of regulatory oversight and transparency. Broadly, algorithmic auditing refers to the review of algorithmic systems, examining how they operate. This policy is largely based upon recommendations of the Christchurch Call (a global initiative working to eliminate violent extremist content online) and focuses on increasing the transparency and accountability of social media platforms. It also aims to reduce the promotion of extremist content online and disrupt online pathways of radicalisation.

Through my Global Voices fellowship, I hope to inspire other young Australians to become involved in the international space, particularly in law and policy. While it may initially appear daunting, being a part of this space is deeply rewarding both in relation to my own growth, and in the opportunity to contribute to meaningful discussions and initiatives.

On a more specific note, I also hope to contribute towards the discussion on building safer online spaces and better-informed regulation of social media platforms, particularly in relation to extremism and radicalisation.

I am grateful to Global Voices and Curtin University for this opportunity, and I am looking forward to attending UNGA Sixth this month.

Global Voices is a youth-led Australian not-for-profit committed to developing the next generation of policy leaders by providing practical experience in policy-making, international relations and diplomacy. The fellowship involves pre-departure briefings in Canberra, travel to a high-level international summit and the publication of a Policy Paper that contributes a fresh perspective to Australian legislation.

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.