Leaked Meta Documents: Addiction Risks Discussed Internally Years Ago

Internal Research and Admissions of Addiction Internal documents from Meta, revealed in a lawsuit in Los Angeles, show that company executives acknowledged platform usage could become problematic, though they officially refused to label the phenomenon as "addiction." According to reports by CNN International based on court filings, Meta's internal communications indicate the company sought to conduct detailed research into the "addiction-like" effects its platform features had on users.
2018 Audit Proposal and Internal Hesitation Documents dating back to the fall of 2018 reveal that Facebook employees proposed an audit involving external experts to examine design features that could lead to impulsive usage.
Researchers suggested collaborating with figures like Tristan Harris, founder of the Center for Humane Technology, to add credibility to the study.
However, the correspondence shows internal concerns that Harris might propose radical changes that product teams would be unwilling to implement.
Loss of Control and Feelings of Manipulation Internal researchers noted that certain features could encourage "frequent, automatic, and unwanted behaviors," leading users to develop habits against their own intentions.
The assessments suggested this could result in users feeling manipulated, experiencing a lack of control over their behavior, and developing a subjective sense of addiction to the platform.
The documents further noted that these conditions could negatively impact the overall well-being of users.
Meta’s Defense and Legal Proceedings Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pushed back against the allegations, arguing that the company is focused on maximizing the value provided to users.
Meta spokesperson Liza Crenshaw stated that while the proposed public audit was not carried out, the company has since developed safety features such as "Sleep Mode" and parental control tools for younger users.
These documents are being used as evidence in ongoing litigation brought by hundreds of school districts and state attorneys general against Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google.