Tech designers have control over how billions of us think and act, and some of them have started sounding the alarm on their own creations. Reports show higher social media use is now linked to a decline in mental health. Political disinformation campaigns on social platforms are on the rise, undermining democracy in some countries. So how do we stop social media from reprogramming our lives and take back control? Is government regulation the way to go? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss these questions are: Tristan Harris, Former Google Design Ethicist and star of “The Social Dilemma”; Marc Fennell, tech reporter and author; Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner; Matt Ford and Jack Steele, The Inspired Unemployed; Sally Rugg, Executive Director at change.org; and Jocelyn Brewer, Cyberpsychologist.

The tech giants have threatened to pull their services from Australia if the Government goes ahead with new laws forcing them to pay media outlets for their news content. Should governments reign in the might of the tech sector? Will the proposed Media Code support traditional news media outlets? Has the spread of conspiracies and online extremism corrupted our democracies and how much is big tech to blame? And what would life without Google look like? Joining Hamish Macdonald to discuss these questions and more are: Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts; Michelle Rowland, Shadow Communications Minister; Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner; Lydia Khalil, International security expert; and Hal Crawford, Media consultant and former news director.