Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms Inc. has halted internal research that indicated users who stopped using Facebook experienced reduced levels of depression and anxiety, amidst ongoing legal challenges regarding the mental health impacts of its platforms [1][5][6]. Group 1: Research and Legal Context - The internal study, known as Project Mercury, was initiated in late 2019 to assess the effects of Meta's apps on polarization, news consumption, well-being, and social interactions [2]. - The legal complaint against Meta is part of a broader multidistrict litigation involving various plaintiffs, including school districts and state attorneys general, who allege that social media platforms knowingly caused mental health issues among children and young adults [3]. Group 2: Allegations and Company Response - The lawsuit claims that Meta was aware of the negative mental health effects of its platforms but chose to suppress the findings of its research, which showed that users who deactivated their accounts reported lower levels of depression and anxiety [5][6]. - A Meta spokesperson refuted the allegations, stating that the company has made significant changes to protect teens and has been responsive to parental concerns over the years [4]. Group 3: Study Findings and Implications - The 2019 study involved a random sample of users who stopped using Facebook and Instagram for a month, with initial results indicating improved mental health outcomes for those who ceased usage [5]. - Meta's spokesperson characterized the study as flawed, arguing that it only confirmed existing public research and did not establish a direct causal relationship between platform usage and adverse mental health effects [7].