EU investigates Meta's addictive design practices targeting children
The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings accusing Meta's Facebook and Instagram of using exploitative design techniques to keep young users engaged, allegedly through a "rabbit-hole effect" in which algorithms maintain users' attention with constant content streams. The investigation, opened in May 2024 under the Digital Services Act, focuses on child safety and could result in fines of up to 6% of global revenue if violations are confirmed.
What happened
The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that accuse Meta's Facebook and Instagram of using exploitative design techniques to keep young users engaged.
The investigation, opened in May 2024 under the Digital Services Act, focuses on a 'rabbit-hole effect' in which algorithms keep users' attention with a constant stream of material, jeopardizing children's well-being.
Reported impact
The design features are alleged to harm children's well-being and online safety through addictive mechanisms that exploit young users.
Governance controls
Regulators are seeking to force platforms to ensure minors do not access adult content and demanding more stringent age-gating measures.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.