Italian parents file class action against Meta and TikTok over algorithmic harm to minors
Italian parents' association Moige filed a class action lawsuit against Meta and TikTok, alleging the platforms' algorithms and features create dependency and discomfort in minors under 14 and fail to enforce age restrictions. The case, filed in July 2025, challenges the companies to eliminate manipulative algorithmic practices and improve child safety protections.
What happened
The Moige (Movimento italiano genitori), an Italian parents' association, filed a class action lawsuit against Meta and TikTok at the Tribunale di Milano in July 2025, with the first hearing scheduled for 12 February 2026.
The legal action, developed over two years by an interdisciplinary team including jurists, software engineers, and neuropsychiatrists, targets three areas: enforcement of age verification requirements to prevent minors under 14 from accessing the platforms; elimination of algorithmic manipulation and infinite scroll features that create dependency; and provision of clear information about social media risks.
Reported impact
According to Moige director Antonio Affinita, the platforms damage minors through algorithms that create discomfort and dependency, and fail to adequately protect children from harmful or illegal practices on social media.
Governance controls
The lawsuit relies on article 840-sexiesdecies of Italy's civil procedure code, which allows parties with standing to seek orders to cease or prohibit conduct harmful to multiple subjects, enabling parents as injured parties to join together against multinational corporations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.