Meta faces Australian class action over alleged harm to children

Meta Platforms faces a class action filed earlier in October in Australia's Federal Court over allegations that Facebook and Instagram harmed children. The case is brought on behalf of eight unnamed applicants seeking compensation, while a court order restricts publication of their identities and initial claims.

Law firm MinterEllison filed the case. Capital Brief reported that court documents name Meta Platforms, Facebook Australia and Instagram as respondents. The applicants allege they were harmed while under 18, according to Reuters. The allegations have not been established by the court.

What the applicants allege

MinterEllison partner David Taylor said the allegations also concern Meta's awareness of potential harm to children and features designed to encourage engagement, Capital Brief reported. Reuters said Meta did not immediately respond to its request for comment.

Court order restricts details of the case

An order published on Monday bars reporting information that could reveal the applicants' identities or the statement of claims, Reuters reported. Capital Brief said the order suppresses details of the applicants and their initial claims. It was not immediately clear from the published accounts how broadly the action might extend beyond the eight applicants.

Capital Brief reported, citing the Australian Financial Review, that Litigation Lending Services is funding the suit on behalf of the applicants. Reuters said the applicants are seeking compensation; the published accounts did not specify an amount sought in the Australian case.

Wider legal and policy context

The Australian case follows litigation against Meta in the United States. Reuters reported that Meta agreed in August 2026 to pay $18 billion to settle claims brought by nearly all US states that it designed social media to addict children. That settlement concerns separate claims and does not resolve the Australian allegations.

The filing also comes amid Australian restrictions on social media use by children under 16 and proposed rules that could allow users to switch off algorithm-driven feeds, Reuters reported. The lawsuit addresses alleged harm to people who used Meta's platforms as minors; the policy measures address how young users can access and experience social media more broadly.