Meta Insiders Admitted Instagram Hooked Kids Like Drugs

Meta knew for years that Instagram and Facebook made teens anxious, depressed, and lonely—thanks to Project Mercury and internal chats calling their platforms a “drug.” Despite clear research showing mental health benefits from quitting, they killed safety features and kept pushing likes, filters, and toxic content because it “smashed engagement.” It’s like watching the tobacco playbook unfold in real time, with millions of young users caught in the crossfire.