European Commission warns Meta: Instagram and Facebook are too addictive

The European Commission has published its initial findings from an investigation into Meta’s apps.

In essence, the Commission says Instagram and Facebook encourage overly addictive use. Meta is now expected to respond, or risk facing a substantial fine.

Opened in May 2024, the investigation examines the techniques Meta uses to keep people on its platforms. According to the Commission’s early conclusions, reported by AFP (via BFM Tech), Instagram and Facebook are considered far too addictive.

"These features fuel users’ need to keep scrolling through content and switch their brain into autopilot mode, contributing to unhealthy behaviour and compulsive use."

Why the European Commission considers Instagram and Facebook too addictive

What is being criticised is the endless stream of short, low-value videos that holds a user’s attention while undermining longer-term focus. Anyone who has ever opened Instagram knows the feeling: scrolling through Reels again and again can be alienating. The clips are brief, tailored to your preferences, and the feed never ends. Stopping is hard.

Alongside this, the Commission highlights parental controls that are both difficult to locate and unclear-seemingly designed to deter parents who want to protect their children.

Meta must change the design of its apps

The European Commission is asking Meta to “fix” the design of its apps so they are less addictive. Meta can, of course, contest the assessment or propose remedies to comply with the rules. If it fails to do so, the US company could be hit with a significant fine of up to 6% of its turnover.

TikTok comparison: similar concerns, different response

This is not the first time the European Commission has called out such practices. In February, it reached similar conclusions about another app deemed harmful to our attention: TikTok. The Commission used almost the same wording:

"By constantly ‘rewarding’ users with new content, certain TikTok features feed the desire to scroll endlessly and put users’ brains into ‘autopilot mode’. Scientific research shows this can lead to compulsive behaviour and reduce users’ self-control."

The key difference between TikTok and Meta, according to the Commission’s framing, is that Meta has been more cooperative. Meta has already taken steps to protect minors, including automatically creating a teen account for any user under 16, with a time-limit on use and reduced interaction with strangers.

The next step for the California-based company will therefore be to rethink the overall interface of its apps, so they become less addictive for everyone. That is excellent news.