The European Commission has charged Meta with not sufficiently addressing the mental health dangers linked to Facebook and Instagram’s design, asserting that certain features of these platforms encourage excessive use. According to the Commission, functionalities like autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories may lead to unhealthy usage patterns by keeping users engaged for prolonged periods. There is particular concern over the impact on children and teenagers, including their use of the platforms late at night.
This accusation is part of a broader investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates online platforms to mitigate risks related to user safety and harmful online behaviors. EU regulators are demanding that Meta make changes to Facebook and Instagram’s design, proposing measures such as limiting autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing screen break reminders, and modifying recommendation algorithms to decrease compulsive engagement.
Meta, however, has dismissed the preliminary findings, arguing that it has already implemented protective measures. The company highlights features like Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access as evidence of its commitment to safeguarding younger users.
If the European Commission confirms these findings following its investigation, Meta could face significant penalties. The company might be subjected to fines amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue due to violations of the Digital Services Act.