The European Commission has leveled accusations against Meta, claiming the company has not sufficiently tackled mental health concerns linked to Facebook and Instagram’s design. The commission alleges that these platforms feature elements encouraging excessive and compulsive use, which could pose risks to users’ mental well-being.
Key features such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories are particularly under scrutiny. Regulators argue that these elements may foster unhealthy usage habits by keeping users engaged for longer periods than intended. Special attention has been drawn to the impact these features might have on children and teenagers, particularly concerning their potential for late-night usage.
This issue 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 practices. As part of their efforts, EU officials are urging Meta to implement design changes on Facebook and Instagram. Proposed measures include disabling autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introducing screen break reminders, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to curb compulsive engagement.
Despite these allegations, Meta has dismissed the preliminary findings. The company asserts that it has already taken steps to safeguard younger users by implementing features such as Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access.
Should the European Commission confirm its findings upon concluding the investigation, Meta could potentially face penalties amounting to 6% of its global annual revenue for breaching the Digital Services Act.