Meta must change the "addictive" design of Facebook and Instagram or face a heavy fine, the European Commission has warned in preliminary findings that single out infinite scroll, autoplaying videos and personalised recommendations as fuelling "compulsive use", particularly among children and teens.
If the tech giant does not make suitable changes, it could be fined up to 6% of its total global annual turnover. The Commission said the endless stream of content "shift[s] the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits".
“EU threatens Meta with fines over addictive Facebook and Instagram designs, citing harm to children.”
"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.
A Meta spokesperson 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 said it had 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".
But the Commission argued that Meta failed to adequately assess the risks from how Facebook and Instagram are designed, as well as how long children spend on the platforms, particularly at night. It raised concerns about features such as Reels and Stories, claiming Meta's safeguards do not go far enough. Time-management tools on the platforms, including those enabled by default for teenagers, can be dismissed and do not meaningfully reduce usage, it said. Parental controls were also criticised as only effective if parents have the time and technical expertise to use them properly.
Meta can now review the evidence 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 Meta spokesperson said.
The EU has in recent months stepped up efforts to force big tech companies to better protect users online, especially children. 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 facing pressure to act, with countries including France pushing for a social media ban for minors following Australia's restrictions for under-16s.