The European Commission has raised concerns about Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, accusing it of not sufficiently tackling the mental health risks linked to certain design features on its platforms. The Commission highlighted that elements like autoplay videos, infinite scrolling, and the reels and stories functionalities are designed to keep users engaged for longer, potentially fostering excessive and compulsive usage habits.
Regulators are particularly worried about the impact these features have on young users, including children and teenagers, who may be more susceptible to late-night usage that could affect their well-being. These concerns are part of a broader investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to ensure that online platforms mitigate risks associated with user safety and harmful online practices.
In response to these allegations, EU officials are pushing for changes in the design of Facebook and Instagram. Proposed measures include setting limits on autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, implementing screen break reminders, and modifying recommendation algorithms to discourage compulsive engagement.
Meta, however, has rejected the Commission’s preliminary findings, asserting that it has already implemented several measures to protect younger users. These include the introduction of Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access, designed to address these concerns.
Should the European Commission confirm these findings after completing its investigation, Meta could be subjected to penalties amounting to up to 6% of its global annual revenue for violating the stipulations of the Digital Services Act.