Meta Accused of Hiding Internal Evidence of Social Media Harm

Meta Accused of Concealing Internal Evidence of Social Media Harm

Newly unsealed U.S. court filings have intensified scrutiny of Meta after allegations that the company shut down internal research pointing to harmful mental health effects linked to Facebook and Instagram. The documents, part of a class-action lawsuit brought by U.S. school districts, suggest that Meta discontinued a large-scale study once early data indicated its platforms might be contributing to emotional strain among users.

At the center of the controversy is a 2020 internal initiative known as Project Mercury. Meta researchers partnered with Nielsen to examine how users’ mental health changed when they deactivated Facebook and Instagram for one week. According to internal records referenced in the filings, participants who stepped away from the platforms reported noticeable improvements in well-being, including reduced depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison.

These results, described in company documents as disappointing, allegedly prompted Meta to halt the study. Plaintiffs argue that Meta buried findings that suggested a causal relationship between its platform design and declines in user mental health, particularly among young people.

Meta has rejected the characterization. Company spokesperson Andy Stone stated on November 22 that the study’s methodologies were flawed and that Meta remains committed to improving user safety and emotional well-being. Stone emphasized that Meta conducts extensive research and continuously invests in resources to address user concerns.

The lawsuit adds to a growing wave of legal and public challenges confronting major social media platforms. As schools and policymakers grapple with rising youth mental health concerns, the filings raise deeper questions about transparency, corporate responsibility, and the extent to which social platforms shape emotional health.

The case is set to continue drawing national attention as more internal documents become public and courts weigh the evidence behind the allegations.