Meta Reportedly Canceled Research Showing Social Media's Negative Effects

According to an unsealed legal filing, Meta reportedly shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding evidence its products harmed users' mental health.

The Details: According to several news reports, these internal documents show that a 2020 research project, called "Project Mercury," found people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness and social comparison. The filing states Meta canceled the study and did not pursue further research, citing concerns about the "existing media narrative" around the company. Meta researchers had also reportedly described Instagram as "a drug" and noted teen behaviors resembling addiction, including compulsive use and high reward tolerance. Meta responded saying the allegations "rely on cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions in an attempt to present a deliberately misleading picture." 

For Context: The filing, unsealed on Oct. 30, includes internal communications and studies dating back to 2017. It's part of a larger multidistrict lawsuit involving more than 1,800 plaintiffs, including school districts, parents and state attorneys general against multiple social media companies, including Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap. The plaintiffs claim the companies designed platforms that can harm children's mental health while prioritizing growth.

How the Media Covered It: Time Magazine (Lean Left bias) emphasized the impact on young users, and specifically noted Meta platforms were widely used for trafficking minors. It wrote the findings showed "Meta was aware that millions of adult strangers were contacting minors on its sites," and failed to disclose this to the public or Congress. National Review (Lean Right) emphasized the addictive nature of Meta's products, citing employee quotes likening themselves to "pushers" and comparing undisclosed findings to tobacco company practices. Reuters (Center) quoted a Meta spokesperson who told Congress the study was stopped due to flawed methodology and that they have made "real changes to protect teens." It also noted sexual abuse content allegations.

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