Instagram parent Meta hit with online child safety probe in Europe
NY Post
Instagram parent Meta will face an investigation in Europe over its alleged failure to protect kids online from social media addiction, dangerous content and other harmful effects, regulators said Thursday.
The European Commission is probing whether Meta is in violation of the Digital Services Act — a sweeping law that took effect last year and requires Big Tech firms to police content on their platforms.
Officials said they are concerned Facebook and Instagram “may stimulate behavioral addictions in children” as well as “rabbit-hole effects,” where kids stay glued to the apps to the detriment of their physical and mental health.
The commission also raised questions about the effectiveness of Meta’s age-verification policies.
“We are not convinced that Meta has done enough to comply with the DSA obligations — to mitigate the risks of negative effects to the physical and mental health of young Europeans on its platforms Facebook and Instagram,” European Union internal market commissioner Thierry Breton wrote on X.
“We are sparing no effort to protect youth,” Breton added.
