A class-action lawsuit filed this month in Australia’s Federal Court accuses Meta Platforms of exposing children to harmful content on Facebook and Instagram while using algorithms to keep them addicted. The suit, brought by MinterEllison law firm on behalf of eight plaintiffs, claims Meta caused harm to them while they were under 18 and seeks compensation.
The case could be the first in Australia to hold a social media company responsible for damage to its users, especially children and teenagers. The Federal Court issued a suppression order on Monday, barring any reporting that might reveal the identities of the applicants or details from the statement of claim.
Meta responded by email, stating, “We are aware of this claim and we will defend ourselves vigorously.” No further comment was provided.
This lawsuit comes amid increasing tensions between Australia and Big Tech companies. Earlier this year, Australia introduced a world-first ban on social media use by children under 16. Lawmakers have also proposed new rules that would allow users to disable algorithm-driven content in their feeds, aiming to reduce harmful exposure and addictive patterns.
Meta faces similar legal battles globally. In August, the company agreed to pay $18 billion to settle claims with nearly all US states alleging it designed social media to addict children. The Australian suit echoes these accusations, focusing on the impact of algorithmic content curation on young users.
Details of the plaintiffs’ experiences remain under wraps due to the court’s suppression order, but the case highlights growing scrutiny of how social media platforms manage content and user engagement, especially among minors.
The Federal Court’s handling of the case will be closely watched as it tests the boundaries of social media accountability in Australia.
According to Joy Online.
