Brazil Collective Defense Institute has sued the local branches of TikTok, Kwai, and Meta Platforms, demanding damages for allegedly failing to adequately protect minors on their platforms.
The lawsuits seek a total of 3 billion reais (approximately $525 million) in compensation and aim to ensure these companies implement stronger data protection and safety measures for young users.
These lawsuits follow a series of studies projecting possible risks to mental health from excessive, unsupervised social media use, particularly for children and teenagers.
The Collective Defense Institute says that the platforms have not taken sufficient steps to mitigate these risks, and it is pressing for clear warnings on the impact of social media addiction on youth.
One of the plaintiffs, lawyer Lillian Salgado, called for better controls, urging platforms to adjust algorithms and improve oversight of user accounts for those under 18.
Salgado pointed to policies in other developed nations, noting the need for Brazil to adopt similar measures that promote a safer, healthier online environment for minors.
The companies involved have responded in different ways. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said it is committed to youth safety, noting that it has implemented over 50 tools and resources aimed at protecting young users.
It also mentioned the upcoming launch of a “Teen Account” feature on Instagram in Brazil, designed to automatically restrict teenagers’ exposure to potentially harmful content and interactions.
TikTok, on the other hand, stated that it had not yet received formal notification of the lawsuit, while Kwai stressed its priority on user safety, particularly for minors.
