Children at Risk as Social Media Platforms Fail to Enforce Age Restrictions

Children at Risk as Social Media Platforms Fail to Enforce Age Restrictions

A number of families in Italy have officially filed lawsuits against Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, accusing the three social media platforms of failing to enforce user age restrictions and using addictive features that harm children's mental health. According to estimates, out of around 90 million Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts registered in Italy, more than three million are used by children under the age of 14.

English POLITIKA 2025. OKTÓBER 9. 11:22

The lawsuit filed by the Italian families demands that the three platforms implement a stronger age verification system in accordance with Italian law that prohibits children under the age of 14 from creating social media accounts without parental permission. It also asked the court to order Meta as the parent of Facebook and Instagram and TikTok to remove the algorithm deemed manipulative and provide transparent information about the potential „mental health dangers” of excessive social media use.

The lawsuit was filed by law firm Ambrosio & Komodo with the Italian Parent Movement (MOIGE), and the first trial is scheduled to be held by the Milan Court business chamber in February 2026.

In the United States, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are also facing dozens of lawsuits, accusing them of using targeted mechanisms to make millions of children dependent on their platforms.

According to the plaintiffs’ estimates, of the approximately 90 million registered Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts in Italy, more than 3 million accounts are used by children under the age of 14, even though this is illegal.

They say the use of social media by children can cause various health problems, such as eating disorders, lack of sleep, depression, and a decrease in academic achievement.

„This lawsuit aims to stop dangerous practices for many individuals,” said lawyer Renato Ambrosio, as quoted by the VOI news site.

Meta And TikTok Responses

Responding to the lawsuit, a Meta spokesperson confirmed that the company is committed to safeguarding the safety of young users on its platform.

„The safety of teenagers should be a priority for the entire industry. Through a service called Teen Accounts, we provide built-in protection that limits who can contact them, what content they can see, and how long they can use Facebook and Instagram. We also have steps to prevent teens from lying about their age,” said a Meta representative. Meanwhile, TikTok has not yet provided an official response regarding this case.

Together with MOIGE, the law firm Ambrosio & Komodo, based in Turin, is also planning to launch a class action lawsuit. It will be open to parents whose children are suspected of having suffered a negative impact due to the use of social media.

This legal step marks a new chapter in efforts to suppress the responsibility of major technology companies on the social and psychological impact of their products on children. If granted, this case could set an important precedent in Europe and encourage other countries to tighten regulations on social media.

Growing Importance of Child Protection

The global demand for stronger oversight of children’s online safety is steadily increasing. Several countries, including Australia and a number of European states, have introduced or are considering new measures to limit minors’ use of social media.

In the United States, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok are also facing multiple lawsuits, with plaintiffs accusing them of deliberately creating platforms that are both attractive and addictive for millions of children.

Proposed Law Against Young Influencers

Italy now also aims to prevent children under the age of 15 from being employed as influencers. The bill, introduced in parliament, seeks to protect minors from the risk of exploitation — whether by third parties or by their own parents.

Under the proposal, the minimum age for creating a social media account would be raised to 15. At present, the legal minimum age is 13, with parental consent required for children under the age of 14.

The new draft law goes considerably further: young people aged between 14 and 16 would no longer be able to give independent consent for the processing of their personal data and would still require parental approval. The European Commission also plans to introduce a digital mini-identity card by 30 June 2026, which would unambiguously and securely confirm users’ dates of birth. Access to certain online services would only be possible through this form of identification.

English POLITIKA

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