"The research, code-named "Project Mercury," took place in 2020. Meta scientists worked with survey firm Nielsen to see what impact deactivating Facebook had on people. According to internal documents, "people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison." According to the filings, instead of pursuing more research, Meta dropped the project, claiming that participants' feedback was biased by "the result of the existing media narrative around the company.""
"Politico reported that in a sealed deposition earlier this year, Meta's employees expressed concern about the research's findings. "Oh my gosh, y'all. IG is a drug," Shayli Jimenez, a Meta senior researcher, is quoted as saying in internal documents. In response, another employee allegedly said, "We're basically pushers." The Politico story reported that Jimenez said in her deposition that the comments were made "sarcastically.""
Meta allegedly stopped internal research on social media's impact after finding harms. A court filing in Northern California claims state attorneys general, school districts, and parents sued Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap. The filing alleges Meta misled the public about mental health risks to children and young adults despite internal evidence of harm. Project Mercury in 2020 studied Facebook deactivation with Nielsen and found people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social comparison. The filing says Meta abandoned further research, blaming biased participant feedback. Internal messages included researchers saying "IG is a drug" and "We're basically pushers." Meta disputes the allegations.
Read at Fast Company
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