The European Commission has formally accused Meta of not adequately mitigating mental health risks linked to the design of its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram. The Commission claims that certain features such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories are designed in a way that encourages excessive and compulsive usage, posing potential risks to mental well-being.
This investigation falls under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates that online platforms address risks related to user safety and harmful online practices. The Commission is particularly concerned about how these features impact children and teenagers, highlighting issues such as late-night usage of the platforms.
EU regulators are pushing for design changes on Facebook and Instagram. Proposed modifications include setting limits on autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introducing reminders for screen breaks, and adjusting recommendation algorithms to minimize compulsive engagement.
Meta has responded to these preliminary findings by disputing them, emphasizing the measures it has already implemented to protect younger users. These measures include the introduction of Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access.
Should the European Commission validate its initial findings upon completing its investigation, Meta could face significant penalties, potentially amounting to up to 6% of its global annual revenue due to violations of the Digital Services Act.