Meta Faces Australian Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Harm to Children Through Addictive Social Media Design

Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, is now facing a class action lawsuit in Australia. The suit, filed by law firm MinterEllison in the Australian Federal Court, alleges that the addictive design features of these platforms are causing harm to children and teenagers.

The legal action seeks compensation for current and former users of Facebook and Instagram who claim they were exposed to harmful content or developed social media addiction due to their platform usage. MinterEllison Partner William Nolan stated, "This proceeding raises important questions about the design and operation of social media platforms and their impact on children and teenagers in Australia. Those questions will now be considered through the Federal Court process."

The class action was initiated on behalf of eight plaintiffs who assert they suffered harm from Meta's platforms before reaching the age of 18. A suppression order issued on Monday by the court prevents the disclosure of any information that could identify these plaintiffs or the details of the claim.

A Meta spokesperson commented on the lawsuit, stating, "We are aware of this claim and we will defend ourselves vigorously." Litigation Lending Services is providing financial backing for the class action, enabling Australian families who might otherwise lack the means to pursue such claims against a global technology corporation.

This lawsuit emerges amidst heightened scrutiny of Big Tech in Australia, following a landmark decision to ban social media for individuals under 16 starting in 2025 and proposed regulations that could grant users control over algorithm-driven content in their feeds.

This legal challenge in Australia follows a significant settlement in August, where Meta agreed to pay $18 billion to resolve claims with nearly all U.S. states regarding its alleged design of social media to foster child addiction.