Meta must change Facebook and Instagram's 'addictive' design or face a heavy fine, the EU has warned. In preliminary findings published on Friday, the European Commission said features such as infinite scroll, autoplaying videos and personalised recommendations encourage 'compulsive use', particularly among children and teens. The Commission warned that if Meta does not make suitable changes, it could be fined up to 6% of its total global annual turnover.
'Protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms,' EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement. The Commission said the endless stream of content 'shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits', and raised particular concerns about the impact on younger users, citing features like Reels and Stories.
“EU threatens Meta with 6% global turnover fine over 'addictive' Facebook and Instagram features.”
Meta disputed the findings. A spokesperson for the tech giant told the BBC it disagreed with the findings 'which don't accurately take into account the significant steps we've taken to protect teens'. The company pointed to its rollout of Teen Accounts, which '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'.
But the Commission said Meta had failed to adequately assess the risks posed by the design of its platforms, including how long children spend on them, particularly at night. It also criticised time-management tools on Facebook and Instagram, arguing they can be dismissed and do not meaningfully reduce usage, and said parental controls are only effective if parents have the time and technical expertise to use them properly.
Meta can now review the evidence against it and submit its formal response. 'We share the European Commission's commitment to providing teens with safe, positive online experiences and will continue to engage constructively with them,' the spokesperson added.
The findings come ahead of recommendations expected on Monday from an expert panel tasked with proposing new ways to shield children from harmful online content. The EU is under increasing pressure to act, with countries including France pushing for a social media ban for minors following Australia's restrictions for under-16s.
