Global Academics Urge Meta to Enhance Transparency in Social Media Impact Studies on Children

Two University of Bath School of Management experts, Dr. Brit Davidson and Dr. David Ellis, have joined a coalition of 19 leading academics from around the world to urge Meta/Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to support more rigorous, transparent, and independent research on the impact of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp on children’s well-being. In an open letter to Zuckerberg, the academics expressed deep concerns about the current methods employed by Meta, which they believe fall short of the high scientific standards required to responsibly assess the mental health effects of these platforms on younger users. Davidson, an expert in digital health and behavior, emphasized that the research being conducted by Meta is happening behind closed doors, leaving the academic community and the public with only fragmented and leaked information. "These are serious research topics, and the work should not be developed without independent oversight," she stated. Ellis, a behavioral scientist, added that there is an ethical and moral obligation for Meta to align their internal research with established mental health science standards. "Sound science must come before firm conclusions are drawn or new tools are launched," he argued. Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—are used by three billion people globally for socializing, leisure, and business. Given this vast user base, it is highly likely that these platforms have significant effects on the mental health of younger users. The recent press reports revealing Meta's internal research suggest that the company acknowledges these potential effects. However, the academics contend that the research methods currently employed by Meta are methodologically flawed and conducted in secrecy, which undermines its credibility and utility. The lack of transparency has created skepticism among scientists and provoked concern among lawmakers, journalists, parents, and children. As Davidson noted, "This is frustrating because if the science was strong, data collected by Meta could inform how we understand digital technology use and its influence on mental health in unprecedented ways." The coalition of academics has called on Zuckerberg to commit to gold-standard transparency and contribute to independent global studies on these issues. One of the key points made in the letter is the importance of broadening the scope of research beyond the typical European, North American, or English-speaking populations. Most mental health research on youth is based on these narrow demographic groups, reinforcing biases and neglecting the mental health needs of young people in other parts of the world. "It will be impossible to identify and promote mental health in the 21st century if we cannot study how young people are interacting online," the academics wrote. To address these issues, the academics have proposed the establishment of an Independent Oversight Trust for child and adolescent mental health on Meta platforms. This trust would build on Meta’s existing Oversight Board, focusing specifically on evaluating material risks to mental health and collecting robust scientific evidence. "You have demonstrated your commitment to independent governance with your support of the Oversight Board in matters of free expression and legal norms. We call upon you to extend this accountability to the critical matter of youth mental health... We believe Meta can do better, and we write to offer our help," the letter concluded. Industry insiders view this call to action as a significant step towards ensuring that technology companies take greater responsibility for the impact of their products on vulnerable populations. The proposal for an Independent Oversight Trust highlights the growing recognition that transparency and collaboration with academic experts are essential for credible and actionable research. Meta, known for its extensive reach and influence, has the potential to make substantial contributions to understanding and improving mental health outcomes for young people globally. However, this potential will remain unfulfilled unless the company adopts the recommended practices. The University of Bath, where Davidson and Ellis are based, is renowned for its research in technology and social impact, particularly in areas such as digital health and behavioral science. Their involvement in this initiative underscores the institution’s commitment to addressing critical issues at the intersection of technology and society.