BRUSSELS – The European Union on Saturday questioned several design features on Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, expressing concerns that they encourage prolonged use of social media and could negatively impact the mental health of children and teenagers.
The European Commission has asked Meta to review features including infinite scrolling, autoplay videos and highly personalised content recommendations.
The EU regulators believe these functions can keep users engaged for extended periods and may pose risks to the well-being of younger audiences.
The move is part of the European Union’s broader efforts to strengthen online child safety and ensure that digital platforms comply with regulations designed to protect minors from harmful online experiences.
Reports said Meta could face penalties of up to six percent of its global annual revenue if it is found to have breached the bloc’s digital rules.
In response, Meta disputed the concerns, stating that the European Commission’s assessment overlooks the safety measures the company has already implemented to protect teenagers and younger users. The company said it has introduced several tools and safeguards aimed at creating a safer online environment and remains committed to working with European regulators to meet its legal obligations.
The latest scrutiny reflects the EU’s continued focus on holding major technology companies accountable for the impact of their platforms, particularly on children and adolescents.
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