Australian Prime Minister Albanese Announces Social Media Boycott Against Cyberbullying

Australian Prime Minister Albanese announced that he will take a 24-hour break from social media on October 24 in support of the "Unplug24" campaign launched in memory of 17-year-old Mac Holdsworth, who took his own life after being subjected to online sextortion.

In a post on his social media account, Albanese commemorated 17-year-old Mac Holdsworth, who lost his life in 2023 after being subjected to sextortion on the internet. Stating that Mac's father, Wayne Holdsworth, travels across the country to share his son's story so that other families do not suffer similar pain, Albanese emphasized that no father should have to go through such situations.

Relaying that Wayne Holdsworth called for a 24-hour break from social media on October 24 to draw attention to the dangers children face on the internet and to keep his son's memory alive, Albanese reported that he too will join this call by closing his accounts for a day. Albanese noted that he will take this step on behalf of Mac Holdsworth, Australian children harmed in the online environment, and parents demanding safer digital spaces.

Following the suicide of 17-year-old Mac Holdsworth in Australia on October 24, 2023, after being exposed to online sextortion, the "Unplug24" campaign invites people every year on the same date to stay away from social media for 24 hours.