The European Commission has warned Meta that it must change the "addictive" design of Facebook and Instagram or face a fine of up to 6% of its total global annual turnover. In its preliminary findings, the Commission stated that features such as infinite scroll, autoplaying videos, and personalised recommendations could encourage "compulsive use," particularly among children and teens. The Commission argued that the endless stream of content "shift the brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy habits." EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen stated that protecting the physical and mental health of Europeans must be a priority for social media platforms. The Commission said Meta failed to adequately assess the risks of its platform design and raised concerns about features like Reels and Stories, claiming Meta's safeguards, including time-management tools and parental controls, do not go far enough. Meta disagreed with the findings, pointing to its Teen Accounts that allow parents to block access at night and cap screen time, and stated it will continue to engage constructively with the Commission.
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