EU probes Facebook, Instagram over child protection concerns ( www.dw.com )

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram over concerns that the platforms may "stimulate behavioral addiction" in children.

European Union regulators have opened a formal investigation into Facebook and Instagram over child protection concerns, the European Commission said on Thursday.

The Commission said in a statement that systems of both Facebook and Instagram, including the algorithms, may "exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of minors and cause addictive behaviour, and/or reinforce so-called ‘rabbit hole' effect." 

The rabbit hole effects "draw you in to more and more disturbing content," according to the statement.

The European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said the bloc was not convinced Meta had done enough to comply with the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA).