The European Commission has accused Meta of not sufficiently addressing mental health risks linked to its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The Commission claims that certain features, such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories, foster excessive and compulsive usage.
The regulatory body expressed particular concern over the platforms’ impact on children and teenagers, highlighting issues like late-night usage. These allegations arise as part of an 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.
EU officials are advocating for changes in the design of Facebook and Instagram. Proposed measures include limiting autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing screen break reminders, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to reduce compulsive engagement.
Meta, however, has rejected these preliminary findings, emphasizing that it has already taken steps to protect younger users. The company pointed to initiatives such as Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access.
Should the European Commission confirm these findings upon concluding its investigation, Meta could face penalties amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue for breaching the Digital Services Act.
