Italy lawsuit against Meta and TikTok tests child safety rules
Families in Italy accuse Meta and TikTok of failing to protect underage social media users.
A first hearing has taken place at the Milan Business Court in a case brought by MOIGE, the Italian Parents’ Movement, and a group of families against Meta and TikTok over the protection of minors on social media platforms.
According to MOIGE, the class-wide injunction seeks to protect around 3.5 million Italian children aged between 7 and 14 who are allegedly active on social platforms despite age restrictions. The organisation described the case as the first such action in Europe focused on protecting minors in the digital sector.
The hearing focused on preliminary objections, including challenges by lawyers for Meta and TikTok to the jurisdiction and competence of Italian courts to rule on the companies’ conduct. MOIGE said the platforms also contested documents submitted by its legal team concerning the alleged effects of recommendation algorithms on minors.
According to MOIGE, the documents refer to concerns around variable reinforcement mechanisms, infinite scrolling and behavioural profiling allegedly designed to maximise engagement among younger users. The organisation and the families’ lawyers argue that such design features raise concerns over addictive behaviour and wider risks to children’s well-being.
MOIGE’s lawyers urged the court to proceed quickly, arguing that delays could prolong potential harm affecting minors in Italy. The case will continue with further hearings, with the court expected to set the next steps in the proceedings.
Why does it matter?
The case could become an important test of how courts assess platform responsibility for children’s safety, age restrictions and recommendation systems. If the action advances, it may contribute to wider European debates on algorithmic design, age verification, addictive platform features and whether child online safety should be treated not only as a content moderation issue, but also as a consumer protection and public health concern.
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