Parents Say Algorithms Pushed Harmful Content
An Italian mother has taken legal action against Meta and TikTok after the death of her 12-year-old daughter.
Irene Roggero Ugues says her daughter Rossella’s behaviour changed within months after she was exposed to harmful content on social media.
According to the family, Rossella began searching for depressive material in September 2023. Her parents believe social media algorithms then continued showing similar content to her.
Five months later, Rossella died by suicide.
Her parents discovered the scale of her social media use only after her death. They unlocked her devices and found that she had been using social platforms far more than they had known.
They also found a secret Instagram profile with a dark username.
Irene said her daughter’s distress seemed to grow rapidly. She described the tragedy as a sudden and devastating illness that overwhelmed the brighter side of Rossella’s personality.
Meta and TikTok Deny Harm Allegations
Rossella’s parents are among several families in Italy who have filed a collective lawsuit against Meta and TikTok.
Meta owns Instagram and Facebook. TikTok is one of its biggest rivals in the social media market.
The case is the first collective legal action in Italy to directly challenge social media companies and their algorithms over risks to minors.
The families want stricter limits on children’s access to social platforms. They also want greater public awareness about online risks.
Both Meta and TikTok deny the allegations.
Meta said it works continuously to protect teenagers online. The company pointed to its Teen Accounts system and built-in safety features.
A Meta spokesperson said the company strongly disagrees with the claims and remains committed to supporting young users.
TikTok also rejected the allegations. It said it removes content that violates its rules and invests in safety tools.
The company said it works to block harmful searches, diversify recommended content and connect vulnerable users with support resources.
Lawsuit Demands Stronger Safeguards for Children
The Italian lawsuit comes as scrutiny of social media platforms increases across Europe and the United States.
European regulators are putting pressure on digital companies to better protect minors under online safety rules.
The case argues that social platforms use reward systems that can encourage dependency. These include likes, notifications and repeated recommendations.
Families involved in the lawsuit say children can easily bypass safety filters and time limits. They argue that parents cannot monitor social media use at all times.
Child safety groups say platform safeguards are not enough when algorithms continue pushing content based on user behaviour.
Some psychologists warn against simple conclusions. They say young people need trust, support and open communication, not only strict control.
Still, Rossella’s mother says she joined the lawsuit to warn other parents.
She said her family did not fully understand the risks until it was too late.
The case is expected to fuel wider debate over children’s mental health, algorithmic recommendations and the responsibility of social media companies.
