Instagram

BBC data analysis in December 2024 showed Palestinian news outlets saw 77% decline in engagement after October 7, 2023, while Israeli outlets saw 37% increase. Leaked internal documents revealed Instagram's algorithm was adjusted within a week of October 7th, lowering the moderation confidence threshold for Palestinian content from 80% to 25%, causing significantly more removals.

Meta unveiled Instagram Teen Accounts which defaults users aged 13-18 to private accounts, limits sensitive content, turns off notifications at night, and prevents messaging from unconnected adults. Represents significant policy shift amid ongoing litigation.

A December 2023 HRW report found Meta's content moderation systematically silenced pro-Palestine voices. Of 1,050 cases reviewed, 1,049 involved peaceful pro-Palestine content being censored while only 1 case involved pro-Israel content. Documented issues included content removals, account suspensions, shadow banning, and broken appeal mechanisms affecting users in 60+ countries.

Bipartisan coalition of attorneys general filed federal lawsuit alleging Meta knowingly designed Instagram and Facebook features to addict children, and violated COPPA by collecting data from users under 13 without parental consent.

Former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen leaked internal documents to Congress and testified on October 5, 2021, revealing that Meta's own research found 13.5% of teen girls said Instagram worsens suicidal thoughts and 17% said it contributes to eating disorders. Internal presentation stated 'we make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.' Research showed Instagram's algorithm can lead children from innocuous content to anorexia-promoting content quickly.

Following Frances Haugen whistleblower revelations and public outcry, Instagram announced in September 2021 it was pausing work on Instagram Kids, a platform intended for users under 13. The app would have targeted pre-teens despite internal research showing Instagram harms teen mental health. The pause came after intense criticism from lawmakers, child safety advocates, and parents.

Tech Transparency Project investigation in October 2021 found Instagram's recommendation algorithm pushed pro-anorexia and bulimia content to users interested in weight loss, recommending accounts with goal weights as low as 77 pounds. Fair Play for Kids reported one-third of Instagram's pro-eating disorder audience is underage (as young as 9-10 years old) with over 500,000 followers. Meta's 2023-2024 internal research confirmed teens who felt bad about their bodies saw significantly more eating disorder content. Company aware since 2019 internal presentation.