The European Commission preliminarily found on Thursday that Meta did not adequately assess the risks of addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram, including auto-play, infinite scroll, and highly personalized content recommendations. The investigation indicated these features affected the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. The Commission stated these features fuel users' urge to keep scrolling and shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits and compulsive use. The finding represents escalating regulatory pressure from the European Union on Meta's platform design practices.
European Commission Finds Meta Failed to Assess Addictive Design Risks
The European Commission's investigation indicated that Meta did not adequately assess the risks of its addictive design on the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. The Commission stated that features like auto-play, infinite scroll, and highly personalized content recommendations contribute to unhealthy habits and compulsive use by fueling the user's urge to keep scrolling and shifting the brain into autopilot mode.
Meta Disputes Preliminary Findings and Cites Teen Account Protections
Meta's spokesperson Ben Walters told Reuters that Meta disagrees with the Commission's preliminary findings, which supposedly don't accurately take into account the significant steps the company has taken to protect teens. Walters stated that since the investigation began, Meta rolled out Teen Accounts that automatically protect teens and put parents in control, allowing them to block access to Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at just 15 minutes.
Commission Deems Current Mitigation Efforts Inadequate
The European Commission emphasized that Meta's current mitigation efforts, including time management tools activated by default for teens, failed to effectively tackle the risks stemming from its addictive design. The Commission stated that parental controls were only effective if parents and guardians possess adequate technical expertise and dedicated effort and time to understand them effectively. The EC concluded this undermines the efficiency of such measures in addressing the inherent risks posed by Instagram and Facebook's addictive design, particularly for minors.
European Commission Recommends Disabling Addictive Features by Default
At this stage, the European Commission recommended that Meta consider disabling key addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, implementing effective screen time breaks, and adapting its recommender system to make it less engagement-oriented. Over the next few months, Meta will have an opportunity to dispute the claims.
FAQ
What did the European Commission find about Meta's platform features on Thursday?
The European Commission preliminarily found on Thursday that Meta did not adequately assess the risks of addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram, including auto-play, infinite scroll, and highly personalized content recommendations, which affected the physical and mental wellbeing of users including minors and vulnerable adults.
What changes did the European Commission recommend Meta make to Facebook and Instagram?
The European Commission recommended that Meta consider disabling key addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scroll by default, implementing effective screen time breaks, and adapting its recommender system to make it less engagement-oriented.
How did Meta respond to the European Commission's preliminary findings?
Meta's spokesperson Ben Walters told Reuters that Meta disagrees with the Commission's preliminary findings and stated the company has rolled out Teen Accounts that automatically protect teens and put parents in control, allowing them to block access to Instagram at night and cap daily screen time at just 15 minutes.
