Media reports claim that Meta Platforms (META) halted internal research into the harms caused by its social media platforms that include Facebook and Instagram.
Meta had reportedly conducted research that showed people who stopped using its social media platforms were less depressed and anxious.
The findings were part of Meta’s internal study called “Project Mercury” that it initiated in 2019 as a way to help it “explore the impact that our apps have on polarization, well-being, and daily social interactions.”
However, Meta Platforms allegedly stopped the research after its findings showed negative impacts of increasing and prolonged social media use.
The findings and accusations against Meta are contained in a legal brief filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern California.
The legal brief is related to a high-profile legal case involving school districts, parents, and state attorneys general against social media companies such a Meta Platforms and China’s TikTok.
The plaintiffs claim that these businesses were aware that their social media platforms caused mental health harms to children and young adults but failed to act.
The 2019 Meta research was based on a random sample of consumers who stopped their Facebook and Instagram use for a month, the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit alleges that Meta was disappointed that the test found people who stopped using Facebook for a week “reported lower feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness.”
Meta allegedly chose not to “sound the alarm,” but instead stopped the research, the lawsuit states.
For its part, Meta Platforms has characterized the 2019 study as flawed and said that was the reason the company was disappointed in its findings.
META stock is down 1% on the year and trading at $594.25 U.S. per share.
Tech Insider
