Meta faces a class action lawsuit in Australia over claims that Facebook and Instagram use addictive design features that harm children and teenagers.

Minter Ellison law firm and Litigation Lending Services filed the suit in the Federal Court on behalf of eight people. The case seeks compensation for Facebook and Instagram users who saw harmful content or developed social media addiction.

The Federal Court in Sydney issued a suppression order on Monday. The order stops anyone from publishing details of the claim and the names of the people who brought the case, court documents show.

“We are aware of this claim and we will defend ourselves vigorously,” a Meta spokesperson said.

Litigation Lending Services funds the class action for Australian families who “would have no practical means of pursuing these claims against a global technology giant”.

“This proceeding raises important questions about the design and operation of social media platforms and their impact on children and teenagers in Australia,” Minter Ellison partner William Nolan said.

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.

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