The European Union has ordered technology giant Meta to make significant changes to the design of its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, over concerns that some of their features are addictive and pose risks to users, particularly children and vulnerable adults.
The warning, issued on Friday by the European Commission, could expose Meta to a hefty financial penalty if the company fails to comply with the bloc’s digital regulations. Blueprint reports
EU regulators accused the American technology company of failing to adequately limit the risks posed by certain features on its platforms, including endless scrolling, highly personalised content feeds and the automatic playback of videos, all of which are designed to keep users engaged for prolonged periods.
Concern over children’s safety
European Union technology chief, Henna Virkkunen, said the protection of the physical and mental health of Europeans, especially children and teenagers, must remain a top priority for social media companies.
According to her, the Commission’s preliminary findings indicate that Meta needs to implement significant design changes to both Facebook and Instagram to ensure that users, particularly minors, are better protected from potentially harmful online experiences.
The Commission suggested several changes, including disabling features such as infinite scrolling and autoplay by default, introducing effective screen-time breaks and making recommendation systems less focused on maximising engagement.
The move comes amid growing concerns among European governments and child protection advocates that social media platforms are contributing to excessive screen time, addiction and exposure to harmful content among young users.
EU tightens grip on Big Tech
The latest warning forms part of the European Union’s broader campaign to rein in the influence of major technology companies and ensure they take greater responsibility for user safety.
Brussels has in recent months stepped up efforts to compel major technology firms to improve online safety standards, particularly for children.
The European Commission began investigating Meta in 2024 under the Digital Services Act (DSA), one of the bloc’s most powerful regulatory instruments aimed at curbing what European authorities describe as the excesses of Big Tech companies.
Under the law, social media platforms are required to identify, assess and mitigate risks associated with their services, including risks to children’s safety, mental health and exposure to harmful content.
If the Commission’s preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face a fine of up to six per cent of its total worldwide annual turnover.
However, EU officials insist that the goal of the investigation is not to punish companies but to bring about meaningful changes that improve online safety.
“We want to bring about change, and if we can get that change via commitments, then we would be most happy,” a senior EU official said.
Meta disagrees with findings
Reacting to the Commission’s findings, Meta said it disagreed with the EU’s conclusions but pledged to continue engaging constructively with regulators.
The company argued that the findings failed to acknowledge the steps it has already taken to improve the safety of young users on its platforms.
Meta pointed to the introduction of “Teen Accounts,” which give parents greater control over how their children use Instagram. The feature allows parents to block access to the application during nighttime hours and set daily screen-time limits.
The company maintained that it has consistently worked to improve child protection measures and address concerns raised by regulators.
More scrutiny ahead
The latest development comes just days before an expert panel established by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to submit recommendations on how the European Union can better protect children online.
Several EU member states, including France, have been advocating stricter measures, including bloc-wide restrictions on social media access for minors, following Australia’s decision to introduce a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16.
The European Union had earlier issued a similar warning to the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, urging the company to change some of its features or face substantial financial penalties.
Despite acknowledging that Meta has made efforts to address child safety concerns, European officials believe more needs to be done to reduce the risks associated with excessive social media use.
‘Rabbit hole’ concerns persist
As part of the ongoing investigation, the European Commission is also examining the so-called “rabbit hole effect” on Facebook and Instagram.
The phenomenon occurs when users are continuously shown similar content through algorithms, potentially leading them towards increasingly extreme or harmful material.
European regulators are also investigating allegations that Meta failed to prevent children under the age of 13 from accessing Facebook and Instagram, thereby exposing them to inappropriate content.
The latest move underscores the European Union’s determination to hold technology companies accountable and ensure that digital platforms prioritise user safety over engagement and profits.
With pressure mounting from regulators across Europe and beyond, Meta now faces increasing scrutiny over the design of its platforms and the impact they may be having on millions of users around the world, particularly children and young people.