Meta faces an Australian class action alleging its platforms' addictive design harms children. This follows a 2025 social media ban for under-16s and a recent US settlement.
01Summary
- 01The class action was filed by MinterEllison in the Australian Federal Court on behalf of eight plaintiffs who were under 18 when allegedly harmed.
- 02The lawsuit targets addictive design features of Facebook and Instagram that exposed children to harmful content or caused addiction.
- 03A court suppression order prohibits revealing the plaintiffs' identities and the statement of claim.
- 04Meta pledged to 'defend ourselves vigorously', while Litigation Lending Services funds the action.
- 05In August 2024, Meta agreed to pay $18bn to settle similar claims from nearly all US states.
02Why it matters
This lawsuit could set a legal precedent in Australia for holding social media companies accountable for harm to young users, affecting how platforms design features for minors globally.
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