Meta Allegedly Concealed Research Linking Facebook Use to Depression and Anxiety
New court filings allege that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, suppressed internal research showing a link between its social media platform and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The documents, released as part of a long-running lawsuit brought by U.S. school districts, claim that Meta halted a 2020 study that found users who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower levels of these conditions. The company is said to have dismissed the findings as biased, citing preexisting media narratives, rather than pursuing further investigation. According to the filings, Meta also misled Congress about its knowledge of these health impacts, raising concerns about corporate transparency and accountability.
The social media giant has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months over its influence on mental health, particularly among young users. In October, Meta announced measures to enhance safeguards for teen accounts, including allowing parents to restrict communication with AI chatbots, following revelations that these tools could engage minors in inappropriate conversations. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has accused Meta of holding a monopoly in social networking, though a recent court ruling in Washington state sided with the company, stating that the FTC had not proven its current monopolistic power.
These developments underscore growing public and regulatory concerns about the long-term effects of social media on mental health and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies. The case against Meta highlights how internal research on the impact of digital platforms can be suppressed for business or reputational reasons, sparking broader discussions about corporate transparency and the need for stricter oversight in the technology sector.