European Union regulators have launched investigations into American tech giant Meta over concerns about the potentially addictive effects of Instagram and Facebook on children. The European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-member bloc, stated that Meta’s products may exploit the vulnerabilities of minors and create behavioral dependencies that could harm their mental well-being.
The investigations could result in fines of up to 6 percent of Meta’s global revenue, which was $135 billion last year, as well as force the company to make changes to its products. This move by E.U. regulators is part of a broader effort by governments worldwide to regulate social media platforms and protect minors from harmful content and addictive features.
Meta has long been criticized for designing its products and recommendation algorithms to hook children. In the United States, three dozen states have sued Meta for using psychologically manipulative features to attract young users. The E.U. regulators are also in contact with U.S. counterparts regarding the investigations announced on Thursday.
The investigations will focus on whether Meta is in violation of the Digital Services Act, a law that requires online services to police their platforms for illicit content and protect children from harm. The E.U. regulators will examine Meta’s age verification tools and the privacy protections for minors on its platforms.
Thierry Breton, the E.U.’s internal markets commissioner overseeing the investigations, emphasized the importance of protecting children from potential addictive and harmful effects of social media platforms. Meta has defended its services, stating that it has implemented numerous tools and policies to ensure the safety of young users.
The timeline for the investigation is unclear, but E.U. regulators now have the authority to gather evidence from Meta, including interviewing executives and conducting inspections of corporate offices. The investigations into Instagram and Facebook will be conducted separately.
This latest move by E.U. regulators is part of a broader crackdown on tech companies following the implementation of the Digital Services Act. TikTok recently suspended a version of its app in the E.U. due to concerns about an addictive feature, while Meta is also facing investigations related to political advertising.
Overall, the investigations into Meta highlight the growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their impact on children’s well-being, as regulators aim to ensure a safer online environment for young users.
