Facebook Knew Instagram Harmed Teens - Plan for Kids App Faces Scrutiny

Facebook Faces Renewed Scrutiny

Facebook is once again under intense public and regulatory pressure.

A comprehensive series of reports published by The Wall Street Journal this week has brought to light internal documents revealing discrepancies between the company’s public statements and its internal understanding of critical issues.

Discrepancies in Public Statements

The investigative reports demonstrate a pattern where Facebook’s outward messaging doesn’t consistently align with the knowledge held by its own researchers. This revelation is particularly striking given the company’s history of downplaying the negative consequences associated with its platforms.

For example, Mark Zuckerberg previously characterized suggestions that Facebook influenced the 2016 election as “crazy.” The company’s established strategy involves publicly denying awareness of the detrimental societal effects of its products, even while internal research highlights these very impacts.

Instagram's Impact on Teen Mental Health

One of the most significant findings from the WSJ’s investigation centers on Instagram’s effect on teenage girls’ mental wellbeing.

A 2019 internal research slide acknowledged that Instagram contributes to worsened body image issues in one-third of teenage girls – a candid admission as the company simultaneously considered expanding its services to younger, more vulnerable demographics.

Despite this internal understanding, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, recently described concerns about the app’s negative impact on teens as “quite small.”

Detailed Internal Research

Between 2019 and 2021, Facebook conducted extensive research into teen mental health, utilizing methods such as online surveys, diary studies, focus groups, and large-scale questionnaires.

The findings were alarming. 32% of teenage girls reported that Instagram negatively impacted their body image. Furthermore, 13% of British teens and 6% of American teens who experienced suicidal thoughts directly attributed those thoughts to Instagram.

Internal documentation revealed that “Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression,” and that this sentiment was “unprompted and consistent across all groups.”

Legislative Response

Following the WSJ report, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal announced a bipartisan investigation into Facebook’s transparency regarding its internal research on Instagram’s potential dangers to teens.

The Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security will lead the investigation, seeking documents and witness testimony. The senators stated that the WSJ’s reporting “may only be the tip of the iceberg.”

Calls to Halt Instagram for Kids

Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. Kathy Castor, and Lori Trahan sent a letter to Facebook demanding the company abandon its plans to launch Instagram for children.

They argued that children and teens are particularly vulnerable online and that the research clearly demonstrates Instagram’s potential to harm their wellbeing.

Previously, 44 state attorneys general urged Instagram to abandon plans for a platform aimed at users under 13, warning of potential harm.

Continued Concerns and Validated Fears

In April, Democratic lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups also voiced concerns and demanded reconsideration of an Instagram version for children.

The documents obtained by the WSJ appear to validate these earlier concerns, revealing that Facebook downplayed its internal findings even as regulators sought information.

Mosseri's Controversial Analogy

Adam Mosseri further fueled the controversy with a comparison of social media platforms to automobiles.

He stated that while cars contribute to fatalities, they also provide significant value, suggesting a similar dynamic with social media. This analogy drew criticism, particularly given social media’s addictive qualities and the lack of comparable regulation.

Critics pointed out the widespread lethality of cars and the extensive regulation of the automotive industry, contrasting this with the relatively unregulated nature of social media platforms.