The European Commission has launched accusations against Meta, claiming that the company has not sufficiently addressed mental health risks tied to the design of its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. The Commission argues that certain features, such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories, are designed to encourage prolonged and sometimes compulsive use, which may lead to unhealthy habits among users.
Concerns were particularly raised regarding the potential impact of these features on children and teenagers, with regulators pointing out issues like the platforms’ contribution to late-night usage. These allegations are part of an ongoing investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that mandates online platforms to mitigate risks related to user safety and harmful online practices.
In response to these findings, EU officials are advocating for changes in the design of Facebook and Instagram. Proposed modifications include setting limits on autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing reminders for screen breaks, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to minimize compulsive engagement among users.
Meta, however, has rejected these preliminary conclusions, highlighting that the company has already implemented several protective measures. These include the introduction of Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access to enhance the protection of younger users on its platforms.
Should the European Commission confirm its findings after the completion of the investigation, Meta could face significant penalties, potentially amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue, for violations of the Digital Services Act.