Meta’s Own Research Found Parental Supervision Doesn’t Really Help Curb Teens’ Compulsive Social Media Use
Teen social media addiction persists despite parental controls, Meta's internal research reveals in landmark trial.
Matilda
Meta’s Own Research Found Parental Supervision Doesn’t Really Help Curb Teens’ Compulsive Social Media Use
Parents wondering if screen time limits actually protect teens from social media addiction have a difficult new answer. Meta's own internal research, revealed in a Los Angeles courtroom, found that parental supervision and controls like time limits show little impact on teens' compulsive platform use. The study, conducted with the University of Chicago, suggests other factors—like stressful life events—play a far larger role in whether young people struggle to moderate their social media habits. This revelation is reshaping conversations about digital safety, parental responsibility, and corporate accountability. Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP / Getty Images Meta's Secret Study: Project MYST Uncovered In testimony during a high-profile social media addiction trial, attorneys introduced internal documents from Meta detailing a research initiative called Project MYST. Short for Meta and Youth Social Emotional Trends, the survey gathered data on how teenagers interact with socia…
