The European Commission has raised concerns about Meta’s handling of mental health risks linked to Facebook and Instagram’s design. They argue that certain platform features, such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories, contribute to excessive and compulsive usage. Such features are suspected of encouraging users to stay engaged for long periods, potentially leading to unhealthy behavior.
This issue is particularly pressing for children and teenagers, as the Commission highlighted that these features might affect younger users, including promoting late-night use of the platforms. The investigation is part of the enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates online platforms to mitigate risks related to user safety and harmful online practices.
EU regulators are pushing for changes in the design of Facebook and Instagram to curb these risks. Proposals include disabling autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing screen break reminders, and tweaking recommendation algorithms to minimize compulsive engagement. These measures aim to protect users, especially younger audiences, from the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to social media.
Meta, however, has contested these preliminary findings, emphasizing the steps it has already taken to safeguard younger users. Measures such as Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access have been introduced in an effort to enhance user protection.
Should the European Commission uphold its findings after concluding the investigation, Meta could face substantial penalties. The potential fines could reach as high as 6% of the company’s global annual revenue, reflecting the serious nature of the alleged violations of the Digital Services Act.