The EU's Call to Action on Social Media Addiction: A Wake Up Call for Industry Giants The European Union has issued a stern warning to Meta: reform Facebook and Instagram's design or face fines.
This move is a long overdue recognition of the addictive nature of social media, which has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation, particularly among younger users.
Infinite scroll and autoplaying videos are key contributors to "compulsive use," according to the Commission's preliminary findings. These features are not new, but their impact on users is well documented.