Meta, the social media giant, launched an internal research project in 2020 to examine the psychological effects of Facebook use. The study found that users who took a break from the platform reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. However, the company shut down the project after questioning its validity.
Internal documents revealed that Meta’s leadership attributed the results to negative press about social media, rather than addressing the issue. The company also failed to share the findings with Congress and instead claimed it had no conclusive evidence of harm to teenage users.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta prioritized user growth over youth safety, including keeping a high “strike threshold” for serious offenses like sexual exploitation. The documents also show how engagement-optimization algorithms designed for teens boosted content with harmful psychological effects, such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders.
Meta disputes the allegations, saying the study was abandoned due to methodological flaws. However, the plaintiffs claim that Meta intentionally concealed negative findings and instead focused on business needs.
This case has implications for the tech industry’s internal research and safety practices. As regulators and researchers watch closely, the outcome could set major precedents for how Silicon Valley’s decision-making is regulated in the future.
Source: https://www.techspot.com/news/110368-meta-shut-down-internal-study-linked-facebook-use.html