Meta faces Australia class action over child harm claims

Meta and its platforms Facebook and Instagram are facing a class action lawsuit in Australia over allegations that addictive design features have harmed children and teenagers.

The case was filed in the Federal Court on behalf of eight applicants. Law firm Minter Ellison and Litigation Lending said the suit seeks compensation for Facebook and Instagram users who were exposed to harmful content or developed an addiction to social media.

The Federal Court in Sydney issued a suppression order on Monday stopping publication of details of the claim and the applicants' identities, court documents show.

Meta said it was aware of the claim and would defend itself vigorously.

Litigation Lending Services said it was funding the class action for Australian families who would otherwise have no practical way to pursue claims against a global technology company.

Minter Ellison partner William Nolan said the case raised questions about the design and operation of social media platforms and their impact on children and teenagers in Australia.

In August, Meta agreed to pay up to US$17.7 billion in the United States to settle claims that it deliberately engineered its platforms to hook young users.