Meta Faces EU Probe over Alleged Addictive Effects on Children and Misleading Political Advertisements

In response to concerns about the impact of social media on children, the European Commission has launched a formal investigation into Meta. The company, which owns Instagram and Facebook, is being probed for addictive effects on children and potential harm caused by its algorithms.

The investigation comes after another inquiry was initiated due to disinformation and misleading political advertisements. The Commission is worried that Meta’s algorithms may lead to addictive behavior in children and create ‘rabbit hole’ effects, where users are led to more extreme content.

The European Digital Services Act classifies Instagram and Facebook as ‘very large online platforms’ with additional obligations to protect users. Despite submitting a risk assessment last year, Meta is being investigated for allegedly exploiting minors’ vulnerabilities and failing to effectively protect them from harmful content.

The Commission can impose interim measures or accept commitments from Meta during the investigation process. It emphasizes that the start of a formal procedure does not indicate the final outcome but intervention measures can be taken if necessary.

The European Commission is committed to enforcing the Digital Services Act and ensuring compliance from online platforms. Other companies such as X, AliExpress, and TikTok have also been investigated for their potential impact on social debates and election processes.