The European Commission has raised concerns about Meta’s handling of mental health risks linked to the design of its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram. Officials have pointed out that certain features—such as autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, reels, and stories—are designed in ways that could potentially lead to excessive and compulsive use. These features, they argue, may keep users engaged for longer periods than is healthy, particularly affecting children and teenagers who might be using these platforms late into the night.
This issue has come to light as part of an investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA mandates that online platforms must take steps to mitigate risks associated with user safety and harmful online practices. As part of their findings, EU regulators have suggested changes to Facebook and Instagram’s design. These include setting defaults to limit autoplay and infinite scrolling, implementing screen break reminders, and modifying recommendation algorithms to decrease compulsive user engagement.
In response to these allegations, Meta has denied the Commission’s preliminary conclusions. The company maintains that it has already implemented several measures aimed at protecting younger users. These measures include the introduction of Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on accessing the platforms during nighttime hours.
The potential repercussions for Meta could be significant if the European Commission confirms its findings once the investigation is concluded. Meta could face fines amounting to as much as 6% of its global annual revenue for breaching the Digital Services Act. The ongoing investigation highlights the increasing scrutiny that major tech companies face concerning their responsibility to ensure user safety and well-being in the digital space.