EU intensifies probe of Meta's child-targeted design

European Union regulators are escalating a formal investigation into Meta Platforms, focusing on allegations that Facebook and Instagram are deliberately designed with addictive features that harm children. The European Commission is preparing preliminary findings that accuse the social media giant of using exploitative design techniques, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and constant notifications, to hook young users.

The investigation, first opened in May 2024 under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), examines whether Meta violated rules requiring large tech platforms to mitigate risks to minors. Officials have expressed concern about a "rabbithole effect," where algorithms keep children engaged with an endless stream of content, potentially harming their physical and mental health. Regulators have also scrutinized the effectiveness of Meta's age verification practices.

The issuance of preliminary findings is a key procedural step, after which Meta will have an opportunity to propose remedies to address the Commission's concerns. If the company fails to satisfy regulators, it could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue. Based on Meta's 2025 revenue, such a...