Meta's Malevolent Empire
Unmasking Facebook & Instagram's Dark Underbelly and Devastating Impact on the Vulnerable
I want to preface this piece by saying that I know this isn’t a typically ‘Political’ piece, but in my opinion this is one of the most important topics I will write about. I say this as it negatively impacts hundreds of thousands of children around the world, and countless millions of adults. Also, no in-line references here. All of this comes from the Facebook Papers and the incredible work surrounding them, I will link them below, please read them.
In the vast landscape of social media, Facebook and Instagram reign supreme, connecting billions of people across the globe. However, beneath the glossy surface lies a labyrinth of negative impacts on society, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children and those in dire need. This is made worse by the knowledge that much of this is backed up by information Meta itself has found when researching the negatives it’s platforms provide. This in-depth investigative report delves into the dark underbelly of Facebook and Instagram, shedding light on the devastating consequences of its policies and practices on the most vulnerable among us.
Targeting the Innocent
Despite assuring the public of stringent privacy measures, Facebook has unabashedly targeted children and young teenagers with personalized advertisements. This raises serious concerns about the exploitation of underage users for financial gain. The addictive nature of Facebook's games and the pervasive presence of age-inappropriate advertising underscore the platform's lack of genuine concern for the well-being of its youngest users. A study conducted by Dr. Larry Rosen, a psychology professor at California State University, revealed that teenagers who use Facebook frequently may develop narcissistic tendencies. This inordinate fascination with oneself and excessive self-love can be concerning traits for parents to witness in their children.
Moreover, a strong presence on Facebook has been linked to the display of psychological disorders, including anti-social behaviours, mania, and aggressive tendencies. Anti-social behaviour in teenagers can lead to a lack of consideration for the consequences of their actions on others, potentially resulting in dangerous situations, especially during the already-volatile teen years. One of the most distressing aspects of social media is the ease with which cruelty and cyberbullying can occur. The indirect nature of online communication often leads to more extreme disagreements, particularly among girls, who may resort to harsher language than they would in face-to-face interactions. Cyberbullying can have severe consequences on a young person's mental and emotional well-being, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
An Epidemic of Mental Health
A growing body of research has linked excessive Facebook and Instagram use to a surge in mental health issues, particularly among adolescents. The platform's design, driven by maximizing user engagement, fosters constant comparison and a culture of cyberbullying, contributing to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies. The implications of Meta's inaction in addressing this mental health crisis are dire, as the lives of countless vulnerable individuals hang in the balance. Instagram, in particular, has been linked to body image issues and low self-esteem, especially among teenage girls. The platform's focus on idealized and filtered images can lead to unrealistic standards of beauty, causing young girls to compare themselves negatively and develop negative self-perceptions. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy, depression, and anxiety, with a significant number of young girls attributing their body image issues to the platform.
Perhaps even more troubling is the feedback cycle that Meta's research identified. As teenage girls consumed more content related to eating disorders, they experienced increasing levels of depression and, in turn, used the app more frequently. This vicious cycle perpetuated negative body image issues and mental health struggles among young users. Despite these alarming findings, Meta publicly downplayed the negative effects of Instagram on teens' mental health, emphasizing the platform's potential positive impacts. The company even announced plans to create a version of Instagram specifically for children under 13, though the project was scrapped a while after.
However, the leaked internal research strongly indicates that Instagram, among various social media platforms, has distinct harmful effects on teenagers. Reports of suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and depression traced back to Instagram use raise serious concerns about the well-being of young users. Among teens who reported suicidal thoughts, 13% of British users and 6% of American users traced the desire to kill themselves to Instagram. This is not the first time research has pointed to a link between social media and mental health issues among teens. Facebook's own data, as well as external research, continues to underscore the importance of addressing these concerns and developing safeguards to protect the mental and emotional health of young users
A Disinformation Pandemic
The spread of disinformation has become a global menace, with Facebook serving as a notorious breeding ground for falsehoods and propaganda. The platform's algorithm prioritizes sensational content, enabling the viral spread of misinformation, divisive narratives, and harmful conspiracy theories. Vulnerable communities are frequently targeted, exacerbating mistrust, discord, and widening societal divisions. Facebook's lacklustre efforts to implement effective fact-checking mechanisms endanger democracy and jeopardize the well-being of the vulnerable.
The rise of disinformation on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook is becoming increasingly common and dangerous, as evidenced by recent revelations about Russian-origin social media accounts. Meta reported a surge in fake accounts specifically aimed at drowning out anti-Russian conversations about the Ukraine war, with a particular focus on targeting Ukrainian social media users. These fake accounts are designed to sway public opinion on a large scale, and while previous influence operations were sophisticated and well-resourced, the latest Russian campaign has shown a shift towards quicker and easier-to-detect inauthentic accounts.
The spread of disinformation on social media is concerning because it can have serious real-world consequences. False rumors and misleading information can feed fear, anxiety, and mental stress, particularly during crises like the coronavirus pandemic. For example, early on in the pandemic, there were false claims that drinking alcohol could protect against infection, leading to harmful behavior and even deaths. Social media companies like Twitter and Facebook have taken steps to combat disinformation, using algorithms to detect and remove false or sensationalist claims, and promoting reliable and authoritative sources of information. Additionally, partnerships with health services and government agencies have been formed to ensure that trustworthy information prevails amidst the sea of fake news and opportunism, but is it enough?
The Dark Side of User Engagement
Meta's relentless pursuit of user engagement has had unintended and disastrous consequences. By favouring posts that incite anger, outrage, and divisiveness, the platform has unwittingly fanned the flames of political polarization, sowing discord in democratic societies. In this quest for maximizing interactions, Facebook inadvertently elevates harmful and extremist content, drowning out meaningful and constructive discussions. Vulnerable individuals seeking solace and support instead encounter distressing content that exacerbates their already precarious situations. Negative user engagement on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can have significant psychological effects on individuals, leading to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out) and contributing to anxiety and depression. The constant exposure to curated and idealized lifestyles of others on these platforms can lead to unhealthy comparisons and a sense of inadequacy in one's own life.
FOMO, a term popularized by the rise of social media, describes the fear of missing out on exciting and glamorous experiences showcased by others. The incessant stream of posts about parties, vacations, and trendy restaurants can make users feel like they are not living up to the adventurous and exciting lives of their peers. Comparing one's own lifestyle to the seemingly perfect lives depicted online can lead to feelings of discontent and a sense of being left behind. Research on FOMO has shown that the feeling can persist even when individuals are already engaged in enjoyable activities. Social media updates about alternative activities can trigger negative emotions, leading to distraction and dissatisfaction with their current experiences. Moreover, the constant exposure to carefully curated images and stories on social media can contribute to the "grass is greener" mentality, making individuals perceive their social lives as less fulfilling than those of others. This perception, in turn, can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
Human Trafficking and Exploitation
Meta's lackadaisical approach to combatting human trafficking and exploitation has transformed its platforms into havens for criminals. Despite multiple warnings and evidence of recruitment posts for domestic servitude and sex trafficking, Meta has remained indifferent, allowing these predators to continue their nefarious activities. Its delayed response and inadequate measures to curb these crimes expose the platform's disregard for the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. Desperate victims, lured by false promises, find themselves ensnared in modern-day slavery, with Facebook serving as an instrumental facilitator of these heinous crimes.
The rise of social media over the past two decades has presented tech companies with significant challenges, with child sexual exploitation emerging as one of the gravest concerns. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) refers to the internet as a "digital hunting field" exploited by human traffickers to target potential victims, primarily children, on various social media platforms. Among the social media platforms, Facebook, owned by Meta, and Instagram, a subsidiary, are the primary platforms used by traffickers. A report by the Human Trafficking Institute in 2020 revealed that Facebook accounted for 65% of grooming and recruiting activities, while Instagram followed closely behind as the second most prevalent platform. Grooming and child sex trafficking, though distinct, often go hand in hand on these platforms.
Meta's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, expressed a commitment to building safe platforms, but I have found that the company might not be fully addressing the issues. Despite having policies in place, Meta seems to struggle with detecting and reporting the full extent of child trafficking on its platforms. Many sources interviewed regarding this abuse felt powerless in getting the company to act against these crimes. Under international law, children cannot legally consent to any sex act, and those who profit from or pay for sex acts involving children are considered traffickers. Meta is required to report child sexual abuse imagery (CSAM) on its platforms to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). However, reporting child sex trafficking is not legally mandated, leading to disparities in the number of cases reported.
Disregarding Developing Nations
Meta's exploitative approach to developing countries is a manifestation of its insatiable corporate greed. Prioritizing profits over the safety and well-being of users in these regions, Meta perpetuates harm and neglects its global responsibility. It turns a blind eye to the prevalence of human trafficking, incitement of violence, and other abuses, enabling criminal activities that devastate already marginalized communities. The negative impacts are particularly evident in countries with weak regulatory frameworks, where Meta's presence and influence loom large, shaping public discourse and perpetuating existing inequalities.
In India, Meta's problems with hate speech and disinformation are reaching alarming levels, posing a significant challenge for the company. The platform's vast user base in the country, driven by low-cost smartphones and cheap data plans, has made Facebook a primary way for millions of Indians to access the Internet. As a result, the company has made considerable efforts to engage with activists and civil society groups and monitor the platform during major elections. However, its efforts in combating hate speech and misinformation have been lacking compared to the measures deployed in English-speaking countries. Likely due to the fact that Meta doesn’t invest in local moderation teams that can actually speak indigenous languages.
In Myanmar, Meta's role in perpetuating misinformation and hate speech had severe consequences during the Rohingya genocide. A United Nations report connected Facebook to the alleged genocide, leading to increased scrutiny of the platform's practices in the region. After negative coverage, Facebook invested heavily in Myanmar, taking measures to remove viral hate speech and misinformation. However, these interventions were limited to Myanmar, raising questions about why similar actions were not taken in other countries. The Next Billion Network, a collective of civil society actors, warned Facebook officials about the dismissal of legitimate complaints in countries like Myanmar, Pakistan, and India due to technical issues and a lack of translations. The company's lack of investment in countries outside of the Western World left vulnerable populations exposed to hate speech and misinformation campaigns with little recourse for reporting such content.
Undermining Democracy and Free Speech
The insidious impact of Meta extends to political discourse and democratic processes. Its algorithms, designed to maximize user engagement, inadvertently amplify divisive and polarizing content, eroding the foundation of democratic societies. The rise of misinformation, hate speech, and inflammatory rhetoric on the platform has led to social fragmentation, weakening the fabric of democratic governance. By failing to address these issues adequately, Facebook allows democracy to be undermined, silencing the voices of the vulnerable and marginalized.
My personal experience with this surrounds the Brexit Campaign in the UK. With the British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica successfully using both of Meta’s platforms to disseminate incredible amounts of disinformation. A practice essentially promoted internally by Meta as it was clear that this activity was driving incredible amounts of traffic and user engagement to the platforms. Once again another example of engagement and profits of morals.
Meta's Predatory Pursuit of Pre-teens
Meta has come under increasing fire for its detrimental impact on young users and its relentless efforts to target pre-teens, a vulnerable age group critical to its future. Internal documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal reveal that Meta has been actively strategizing to attract children under 13, in violation of federal privacy laws in the US where it’s based. Despite mounting concerns about the negative effects of social media on mental health, especially among teens, the company has persisted in its pursuit of young users, driven by competition from rivals like Snapchat and TikTok.
The documents expose a company willing to exploit innocence and prey on the curiosity of young minds, all in the name of user growth and profitability. Facebook's former three-year plan to create products for children and tweens raises serious ethical questions about prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of its youngest users. The former Senate subcommittee hearing on the impact of Facebook's Instagram platform on mental health provided an opportunity for lawmakers to address these issues and demand transparency and accountability from the tech giant. Though frankly neither of those happened, Meta was left with barely a slap on the wrist and it was clear that US officials had very little understanding. As a society, we must prioritize the safety and mental health of our children, and it is time to hold Meta accountable for its predatory practices in the pursuit of profit.
The Whole Picture
As i’m finishing writing this, I’m all too aware of how little I’ve been able to show. Illuminating the myriad ways it damages society, particularly children and the vulnerable, is a monumentous task. The platform's targeted advertising, impact on mental health, role in spreading disinformation, and complicity in human trafficking reveal a corporation driven by profit, indifferent to the consequences of its actions, and yet it seems like many either don’t know or don’t care.
To protect our most vulnerable members, governments must intervene with strict regulations, demanding transparency and accountability from Meta. Only through collective action can we safeguard the well-being of children, teens, and those in need from the grasp of this corporate behemoth. As concerned citizens, we must insist on better practices from Meta and prioritize the welfare of our society over corporate profits. I honestly believe the future of our world depends on it. Also, I implore you to look further into The Facebook Files yourselves either using the link below or whichever way you choose to do so.