The European Union has taken a significant step in addressing concerns over social media's impact on mental health by accusing Meta of prioritising 'addictive design' over user well-being. The company behind Facebook and Instagram is facing formal charges from the European Commission, which claims that features such as video autoplay and infinite scroll can lead to excessive engagement and compulsive use.
Regulators have highlighted concerns that these design elements can cause users to become 'stuck in an autopilot mode', potentially contributing to unhealthy habits. A key aspect of the accusation focuses on children, with officials stating that Meta has disregarded available data showing the significant amount of time young people spend on Instagram and Facebook during night-time hours. Features like 'Reels' and 'Stories' have been specifically mentioned as potential contributors to excessive or compulsive use among younger demographics.
The allegations form part of a broader investigation into Meta, launched in May 2024 under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). This legislation aims to safeguard users from online harms such as shopping scams, misinformation, and illegal content. The ongoing inquiry is also examining 'rabbit hole' effects, where algorithms feed negative content to young people, including unrealistic body images.
EU officials are pushing for Meta to implement significant design changes, including removing autoplay and infinite scroll as default settings, introducing screen breaks, and modifying algorithms to offer less personalised content. If the charges are upheld, the tech giant could face substantial financial penalties of up to 6% of its total annual turnover.
The move comes ahead of an expert panel's report on social media bans for children, due to be released soon. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed her support for a 'social media delay' for young people and several EU member states are developing plans for social media restrictions. This increased pressure on the Commission to establish a unified solution may lead to significant changes in how social media companies approach user well-being.