The European Commission has raised concerns with Meta, alleging the company has not taken sufficient steps to mitigate mental health risks associated with its Facebook and Instagram platforms. The Commission claims that certain features, such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories, foster compulsive and excessive usage by encouraging prolonged user engagement.
This accusation is part of an ongoing investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates online platforms to actively reduce risks tied to user safety and harmful online behaviors. The Commission has pointed out that Meta’s efforts have been lacking, particularly in addressing how these features impact children and teenagers, including their tendency to use these platforms late at night.
In response to these concerns, EU officials are pushing for design changes on Facebook and Instagram. Proposed measures include setting limits on autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing reminders for screen breaks, and modifying recommendation algorithms to curb compulsive usage patterns.
Meta has rejected these preliminary findings, highlighting that it has already put in place several protective measures. These include Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limitations, and restrictions on nighttime access, all aimed at safeguarding younger users.
Should the European Commission affirm its findings upon completing the investigation, Meta could face substantial penalties, potentially amounting to 6% of its global annual revenue, as a consequence of breaching the Digital Services Act.