Meta's Secret Study: What Happened When Users Took a Break from Facebook and Instagram?

Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has been accused of hiding research that showed its products negatively impact users' mental health. In a legal battle, school districts in the U. S. claim Meta shut down a study called "Project Mercury" after it found that taking a break from these platforms reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison. The study, conducted with survey firm Nielsen in 2020, found that people who stopped using Facebook for a week felt better mentally. Instead of sharing these findings, Meta allegedly stopped further research, saying the results were influenced by negative media coverage. However, internal messages showed that Meta staff believed the study was valid and compared keeping quiet about the harm to the tobacco industry hiding the dangers of cigarettes. Despite this internal research, Meta told Congress it couldn't measure the harm its products caused to teenage girls. Meta has denied these allegations, saying the study was flawed and that the company has worked to improve safety on its platforms. This is just one of many claims in a lawsuit against Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat. The plaintiffs argue that these companies hide the risks of their products from users, parents, and teachers. They also allege that these platforms encourage young children to use their services and fail to address harmful content. Meta has denied these claims, saying its safety measures for teens are effective. The company also said the lawsuit misrepresents its efforts to protect young users. A hearing on these allegations is scheduled for January 26 in a California court.