The European Commission has leveled accusations against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, claiming that it has not sufficiently tackled the mental health risks linked to the design of its platforms. The Commission asserts that key features, such as autoplay videos and infinite scrolling, are contributing to excessive and compulsive usage among users.
Regulators are particularly concerned about the impact of these features on younger audiences, including children and teenagers, who may be engaging with the platforms late into the night. The Commission’s allegations are part of an investigation under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates online platforms to mitigate risks associated with user safety and harmful online practices.
In response to these concerns, EU officials are pushing for changes in the design of Facebook and Instagram. They suggest measures such as setting limits on autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introducing reminders for users to take breaks, and altering recommendation algorithms to curb compulsive engagement.
Meta, however, has dismissed these preliminary findings, arguing that it has already implemented various protective measures for younger users. These include Teen Accounts, parental controls, screen-time limits, and restrictions on nighttime access.
Should the European Commission affirm its findings upon completing the investigation, Meta could potentially face penalties amounting to up to 6% of its global annual revenue for breaching the Digital Services Act.