Meta Faces Landmark Australian Class Action Over Alleged Child Harm and Addictive Algorithms

A class action lawsuit has been filed in the Federal Court of Australia against Meta Platforms, targeting its flagship social media networks Facebook and Instagram. The legal action alleges that the platforms exposed children to harmful content while utilizing algorithms designed to foster addictive user habits among young people.

Brought forward by the law firm MinterEllison this month, the litigation represents what could be the first class action of its kind in Australia to legally hold social media platforms accountable for psychological or personal harm inflicted on users, specifically focusing on children and teenagers. The case is initiated on behalf of eight individual plaintiffs who claim they suffered harm while using Meta services as minors under the age of 18, and the suit is seeking financial compensation.

Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the filing. In connection with the proceedings, the court issued a suppression order prohibiting the publication of any details that might disclose the identities of the applicants or the specific contents of the statement of claims.

The Australian legal action arrives against a backdrop of increasing friction between the federal government and major technology corporations. Tensions have escalated following Australia’s implementation of a world-first ban restricting social media access for children under the age of 16, alongside newly proposed regulatory rules that would give users the ability to disable algorithm-driven content on their social feeds entirely.

Internationally, the tech giant faces mounting legal scrutiny over its platform designs. In August, Meta agreed to a settlement totaling $18 billion with nearly all U.S. states to resolve separate allegations that the company intentionally designed its social media products to addict children.