A group of Italian families has filed a lawsuit against social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, accusing them of failing to enforce age restrictions and employing addictive features that negatively impact children’s mental health.
The lawsuit, submitted to a court in Milan, demands stricter age verification measures for users under the age of 14, in accordance with Italian law. It also calls for the removal of potentially misleading algorithms and for greater transparency regarding the risks associated with excessive platform use.
The case is set to be heard by the Chamber of Commerce in the Milan court starting in February 2026. The lawsuit was filed by the law firm Ambrosio & Commodo, in collaboration with the Italian Parents’ Movement (MOIGE).
Attorney Renato Ambrosio stated, “It’s too easy for children to bypass age restrictions. This legal action aims to stop harmful behaviors affecting a large number of minors.”
In response, Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — said that it prioritizes the safety of young users online. “We provide built-in protections on teen accounts that limit who can contact them, what content they see, and how much time they spend on our platforms,” a Meta spokesperson said, adding that the company has also implemented measures to prevent teens from lying about their age.
A Growing Global Push for Regulation
Several countries — including Australia and parts of Europe — have already introduced or are considering regulations to limit minors' access to social media, amid growing concern over its psychological and behavioral effects.
In the United States, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok face dozens of lawsuits accusing them of deliberately enticing and addicting millions of children to their platforms.
In Italy, plaintiffs estimate that over 3 million of the 90 million Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts are used by children under the age of 14.
They argue that social media use among minors can lead to serious health problems, including eating disorders, sleep deprivation, depression, and declining academic performance.
The law firm and the Italian Parents’ Movement also announced that they are preparing a follow-up class-action lawsuit, open to parents who claim their children have suffered harm from social media use.
