Archive · 24 Nov 2025
Meta Accused of Burying Research on Social Media's Mental Health Impact
A group of US school districts is suing Meta (Facebook) and other social media companies.
They say these companies knew their platforms were harming people's mental health but hid the evidence.
Meta supposedly found out that using Facebook and Instagram made people feel more depressed and anxious, but they stopped the study and didn't tell anyone.
Meta says the study was flawed and they've always worked to make their products safer.
Meta allegedly halted internal research showing Facebook and Instagram's negative mental health effects
Project Mercury study found causal link between platform use and increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness
Meta told Congress it couldn't quantify harm to teenage girls despite internal evidence
Plaintiffs argue tech companies hid risks, including child predators and harmful content
Meta disputes allegations, claims safety measures are effective
- Who
- Meta (formerly Facebook), US school districts, and other social media companies
- What
- Accused of hiding research on mental health impacts and other risks of their platforms
- When
- The research was conducted in 2020, and the lawsuit was filed recently
- Where
- In courts in the US
- Why
- The school districts allege that the companies intentionally withheld information about the risks of their products
School Districts
Meta
Internal Research
School Districts
Meta buried research showing platforms' harm to mental health
Meta
Meta disputes the allegations, claims the study was flawed, and has worked to improve safety
- Study Name
- Project Mercury
- Platforms Studied
- Facebook and Instagram
- Negative Effects Found
- Increased depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison
- Meta's Response
- Stopped the study, disputed the findings, and claimed safety measures are effective
- Lawsuit Filed By
- US school districts
- Other Companies Involved
- Google, TikTok, Snapchat
