Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Meta faces Australian class action over alleged harm to children
Eight plaintiffs have sued Meta in Australia's Federal Court, alleging Facebook and Instagram harmed them when they were under 18.
They say the platforms exposed them to harmful content or contributed to social media addiction.
The case seeks compensation for current and former users who say they were affected.
The claims focus on how the platforms are designed and operate, including features linked to algorithms.
A court order prevents reporting details that could identify the plaintiffs or reveal the statement of claim.
Meta says it will defend itself.
The case will now proceed through the Federal Court, amid wider Australian efforts to address children's use of social media.
Meta is facing a class action in Australia over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harmed children and teenagers.
Filed in the Federal Court by law firm MinterEllison, the case seeks compensation for current and former users.
Eight plaintiffs allege they were harmed by Meta while under 18.
Meta said it would defend itself vigorously.
The court has prohibited reporting information that could identify the plaintiffs or reveal the statement of claim.
- Who
- Eight plaintiffs are bringing the case against Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram.
- What
- The class action seeks compensation over alleged exposure to harmful content and social media addiction.
- When
- Filed in October 2026; the exact filing date is not stated.
- Where
- The Federal Court of Australia.
- Why
- The plaintiffs allege that Meta’s platforms harmed them when they were under 18.
The eight plaintiffs
Meta
Alleged harm
The eight plaintiffs
The plaintiffs allege that Facebook and Instagram exposed them to harmful content or contributed to social media addiction.
Meta
Meta said it would defend itself vigorously.
Responsibility
The eight plaintiffs
The plaintiffs seek compensation for alleged harm while they were under 18.
Meta
Meta has not stated its detailed response to the allegations in the sources.
Meta agreed to pay $18bn to settle claims with nearly all US states that it designed social media to addict children.
The court issued a suppression order barring reporting that could identify the applicants or reveal the statement of claim.
MinterEllison filed the class action in the Federal Court of Australia on behalf of eight plaintiffs.
- Defendant
- Meta Platforms
- Platforms
- Facebook and Instagram
- Plaintiffs
- Eight people who allege they were harmed while under 18
- Court
- Federal Court of Australia
- Funding
- Litigation Lending Services is funding the class action
- Meta US settlement
- $18bn with nearly all US states
2 sources
What people are saying
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
We are aware of this claim and we will defend ourselves vigorously