Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, is facing serious criticism after court documents revealed it buried research showing its platforms harm users’ mental health. The controversy centers on an internal project from 2020 called “Project Mercury,” which found that taking a one-week break from Facebook and Instagram reduced depression, anxiety, loneliness, and unhealthy social comparisons.
What the Research Found
Meta’s own scientists partnered with the survey company Nielsen to study how social media affects mental health. The results were clear: when people stopped using Facebook and Instagram for just one week, their mental well-being improved significantly. However, instead of sharing these findings publicly or conducting more research, Meta shut down the project. Company executives claimed the negative results might have been influenced by bad publicity Meta was receiving at the time. Meanwhile, Meta continued telling Congress and the public that it had no solid evidence proving its platforms harmed teenage girls.
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Accusations of a Cover-Up
The information came out through a class-action lawsuit filed by U.S. school districts against Meta and other social media companies. The lawsuit accuses these companies of hiding the dangers of their products from users, parents, and teachers. According to court filings, some Meta employees compared the company’s actions to how tobacco companies once hid research about smoking risks. They expressed worry about the ethical problems of keeping such important information secret.
The lawsuit claims Meta did more than just hide harmful research. It alleges the company deliberately made safety features for young users weak and ineffective, and blocked stronger protections that might have slowed user growth. Court documents suggest Meta delayed important child safety measures because it wanted to increase teenage engagement, even though company leaders knew this would expose young people to more harmful content.
Meta’s Defense
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone rejected these allegations. He said the company ended Project Mercury because the study was poorly designed and didn’t produce reliable results. Stone emphasized that Meta is committed to teen safety and has developed effective protection features. He called the lawsuit misleading, saying it cherry-picks internal quotes and opinions to paint a false picture. Stone also stated that Meta immediately removes any accounts involved in sex trafficking and that the company’s current safety measures work well.
The Bigger Picture
This lawsuit doesn’t just target Meta. It also names TikTok, Google, and Snapchat, claiming all these tech companies have systematically hidden what they know about platform dangers. The accusations go beyond mental health concerns. The lawsuit alleges these companies encouraged children under 13 to use their platforms, failed to address child sexual abuse content, delayed action against predators, and supported advocacy groups to publicly defend their products’ safety.
Meta is now at the center of a growing debate about tech companies’ responsibilities, corporate research ethics, and protecting vulnerable users. The company is fighting to keep its internal documents sealed. A court hearing is scheduled for January 26, 2026, in Northern California District Court.
What Happens Next
These revelations have triggered new demands for regulation, transparency, and accountability in the social media industry. As legal battles continue and public pressure increases, Meta’s internal practices are being examined more closely than ever before by lawmakers, educators, parents, and the general public worldwide.
