EU glare on Meta’s platforms Instagram and Facebook for being addiction hub to kids

EU regulators on Thursday opened investigations into the American tech giant Meta for the potentially addictive effects Instagram and Facebook have on children.

Meta’s products may “exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of minors” to create behavioural dependencies that threaten their mental well-being, the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-member bloc, said in a statement. EU regulators could ultimately fine Meta up to 6 per cent of its global revenue, which was $135 billion last year, as well as force other product changes.