Meta sued in Denmark over alleged harm to children

A Dutch nonprofit has filed a lawsuit against Meta in Denmark on behalf of parents and children, alleging that the company's platforms cause psychological harm to minors.

The group, Stichting Onderzoek Marktinformatie (Somi), lodged the case with the Copenhagen City Court, claiming that Facebook and Instagram are designed to be addictive and exploit the vulnerabilities of young users, Danish news broadcaster DR reported.

Somi is seeking 25,000 Danish kroner (about $3,600) in compensation for each affected minor.

The lawsuit cites features such as algorithm-driven recommendations, infinite scrolling, and "fear of missing out" triggers as contributing to higher levels of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and reduced academic performance.

Somi also claims Meta has been aware of these risks through internal research and warnings from experts and policymakers.

The case calls on the court to rule that Meta has violated European and Danish law, and demands the company change or remove harmful features, implement stricter age verification, and end monetization of children's data.

Meta has not responded to the allegations. Somi has filed similar lawsuits in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany amid growing concerns over social media's impact on children's mental health.