Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has been accused by the European Commission of not sufficiently addressing the mental health risks linked to the design of its platforms. The Commission claims that certain features, such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories, are designed in a way that encourages users to spend excessive amounts of time on the platforms, potentially leading to compulsive usage.
Regulators are particularly worried about the effects of these features on children and teenagers, citing concerns over prolonged engagement and late-night use of Facebook and Instagram. These concerns are part of a larger 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 officials are advocating for Meta to make specific changes to the design of its social media platforms. Suggested changes include setting autoplay and infinite scrolling features to be limited by default, implementing screen break reminders, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to reduce the likelihood of users becoming compulsively engaged with content.
In response to these allegations, Meta has dismissed the preliminary findings, arguing that it has already taken steps to safeguard younger users. The company points to initiatives like Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and nighttime access restrictions as measures it has put in place to better protect children and teenagers using its platforms.
Should the European Commission uphold its findings following the conclusion of the investigation, Meta could potentially face substantial penalties. The company risks fines amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue for non-compliance with the Digital Services Act.