The European Union is warning Meta that Facebook and Instagram’s design features may be addictive, especially for kids and teens. Regulators say infinite scroll, autoplay videos, and personalized feeds push users into compulsive use.
Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover if it fails to act. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said protecting mental health must be a priority for social platforms.
The Commission criticized Meta’s safeguards, saying parental controls and time tools are weak, easy to bypass, and too complex for many families. Officials argue these features encourage unhealthy habits and harm young users.
Meta disagrees. The company points to Teen Accounts that limit screen time and let parents block access at night. It says its tools already help families manage usage.
These findings are still preliminary. Meta has the chance to review the evidence and submit a formal response.
Also Read: Meta adds stricter rules to Teen Accounts for safer use
The EU is preparing new rules to shield children from harmful online content, while countries like Spain, France and Australia are also moving to restrict minors’ social media use.
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