An Italian mother has launched legal action against Meta and TikTok following the death of her daughter, adding to growing concerns about the impact of social media platforms on young users and the responsibilities of tech companies in protecting children online.
A grieving Italian mother has taken legal action against Meta and TikTok after the death of her daughter, arguing that social media platforms should do more to protect young users from harmful content and online risks.
The case is the latest in a growing number of legal battles across Europe and other parts of the world where parents are seeking accountability from technology companies over the effect social media may have on children and teenagers.
According to Reuters, the lawsuit was filed after the woman’s daughter died following what the family believes was exposure to harmful online content. The mother argues that major social media companies have not done enough to prevent children from accessing material that could endanger their wellbeing.
The legal action targets both Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms among young users. The case arrives at a time when regulators, lawmakers, and parents across Europe are demanding stronger safeguards for minors using social media services.
For years, concerns have been raised about recommendation systems, addictive features, online challenges, cyberbullying, and content that may negatively affect children’s mental health. Many parents argue that social media companies have expanded rapidly while failing to put sufficient protections in place for younger users.
The Italian lawsuit is expected to draw attention because it comes amid broader efforts in Italy to increase scrutiny of social media platforms. An Italian parents’ advocacy group known as MOIGE has already brought separate legal action against Meta and TikTok, seeking stronger age-verification systems, greater transparency, and the removal of features that critics say encourage excessive use among children.
Lawyer Renato Ambrosio, who has been involved in related legal actions concerning child safety and social media, previously argued that it remains too easy for children to bypass age restrictions on major platforms.
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The issue is not new in Italy. In 2021, the country was shaken by the death of a 10-year-old girl from Palermo. Following that incident, Italy’s privacy watchdog ordered TikTok to block accounts whose users’ ages could not be verified. At the time, the regulator said it was concerned about the ease with which children could access the platform despite age restrictions.
The girl’s father, Angelo Sicomero, told Italian media after her death: “TikTok was her world. And YouTube. That’s how she spent her time.” That case led to increased pressure on social media companies and sparked wider discussions about online safety for minors. Meta and TikTok have repeatedly defended their efforts to protect younger users.
Responding to similar legal actions, TikTok has stated that it rigorously applies its community guidelines and continues investing in safety measures aimed at protecting users. A company spokesperson previously said TikTok proactively removes content that violates its rules and works to connect vulnerable users with available support resources.
Meta has also rejected allegations that it fails to protect children online. The company has pointed to its Teen Accounts features and other safety tools designed to limit who can contact younger users, what content they see, and how much time they spend on its platforms. “We stand by our record and will continue to do more to keep young people safe,” Meta previously said in response to criticism. Supporters of stricter regulation argue that existing protections are not enough.
They say millions of children continue to use social media despite age restrictions and that many platforms are designed to maximize engagement, encouraging users to spend longer periods online. Critics also argue that recommendation systems can sometimes push vulnerable users toward harmful content.
Technology companies, however, maintain that they cannot be held responsible for every piece of content viewed by users and point to ongoing investments in moderation, safety technology, and parental controls. The latest lawsuit will likely become another important test of where responsibility lies when harmful incidents involving minors and social media occur.
Legal experts say courts across Europe are increasingly being asked to decide whether technology companies have met their duty of care toward younger users. For the Italian mother at the centre of the case, the legal battle is about more than compensation.
It is also about seeking answers and pushing for changes that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the case moves through the courts, it is expected to add to the growing debate over how far social media companies should go in protecting children and what role governments should play in regulating platforms used by millions of young people every day.
