Lawsuits over child suicide and self-harm due to social media mount

As European countries decide whether to restrict social media for children under 16, a wave of legal cases similar to those in the United States against the platforms are starting to come forward.

Civil lawsuits brought forward by families in France and Italy allege that platform algorithms contribute to suicide and self-harm. Meanwhile, cases in the Netherlands and Germany target addictive design, child safety and manipulation.

In the United States, a California judge denied Meta and Google’s ask for a new trial last week in an addictions case, where both companies were ordered to pay a former young user $6 million (€5.17mn), according to US media.

The case argued that the platforms were negligent in warning young users about the potential harm extreme use of social media could cause.

We take a look at other court actions happening across Europe against social media companies.