A class-action lawsuit has been initiated in an Australian federal court against Meta Platforms, targeting its Facebook and Instagram platforms for allegedly exposing children to harmful content and fostering addictive usage through algorithmic design. The legal action was filed in October by the law firm MinterEllison and represents eight individuals who claim they suffered harm while under the age of 18.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for the plaintiffs, marking a potentially significant legal precedent in Australia as it is reportedly the first case to explicitly hold social media companies accountable for the negative impact of their platforms on young users. Details of the claims and the identities of the applicants have been restricted by a court-issued suppression order dated October 19, which forbids the publication of information that could reveal personal identities or case specifics.

Meta has responded to the lawsuit, stating it is aware of the claims and intends to defend itself robustly. This legal challenge arrives amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of social media companies in Australia, which recently implemented a pioneering ban on social media use by children under 16. Additionally, the government has proposed regulations that would allow users to disable algorithm-driven content recommendations on their social media feeds.

The Australian case follows global concerns over the role of social media in children's mental health and wellbeing. In a related development, Meta agreed in August to an $8 billion settlement with nearly all U.S. states addressing accusations that the company deliberately engineered its platforms to foster addiction among young users. The outcome of the Australian class action could have significant implications for how social media platforms are regulated and held responsible for user safety, particularly that of minors.