The Brazilian consumer rights group, The Collective Defense Institute, has filed lawsuits against Meta, TikTok, and Kwai, seeking 3 billion Brazilian reals ($525.8 million) in damages. The legal action targets these platforms' failure to protect minors and implement adequate safety measures.

Key allegations in the lawsuits include:

• Failure to prevent "indiscriminate use" by minors
• Lack of clear data protection mechanisms
• Insufficient warnings about mental health risks for children and teenagers
• Inadequate algorithm controls for users under 18
• Poor supervision of teenage accounts

This legal action follows similar cases worldwide. In 2023, New Mexico sued Meta and Snap Inc., revealing that Meta had documented over 100,000 instances of child harassment on their platforms. Additionally, 15 state attorneys general have sued TikTok for misrepresenting platform safety for young users.

In response, platforms have implemented various safety measures:

• TikTok introduced child protection controls for under-13 accounts
• Meta launched 'Teen Account' features on Instagram with automatic limitations
• Both platforms face pressure to redesign their algorithms for better youth protection

While TikTok claims they haven't been formally notified of the Brazilian lawsuit, the case highlights growing global concerns about social media's impact on young users' safety and mental health.

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