Meta research finds parental supervision ineffective at reducing teen compulsive social media use

An internal Meta research project called “Project MYST” has emerged as key evidence in a landmark social media addiction trial currently underway in Los Angeles County Superior Court. According to testimony, the study found that parental supervision and controls had minimal impact on preventing compulsive social media use among teenagers. The research, conducted in partnership with the University of Chicago, surveyed 1,000 teens and their parents about social media habits and parental oversight.

The plaintiff, identified as Kaley or “KGM,” is suing Meta and YouTube alongside her mother, alleging that social media companies created addictive products that caused anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and self-harm. TikTok and Snapchat were originally named in the lawsuit but settled their claims before the trial began last week.

Meta Study Questions Effectiveness of Parental Controls

Project MYST, which stands for Meta and Youth Social Emotional Trends survey, concluded that “parental and household factors have little association with teens’ reported levels of attentiveness to their social media use,” according to testimony presented by plaintiff’s lawyer Mark Lanier. The findings suggest that even when parents implement time limits, use built-in parental controls on platforms like Instagram, or establish household rules, these measures may not prevent teenagers from overusing social media compulsively.

Additionally, the study found agreement between parents and teens on this point, noting “there is no association between either parental reports or teen reports of parental supervision, and teens’ survey measures of attentiveness or capability.” This research challenges the social media industry’s frequent reliance on parental control tools as a solution to youth overuse.

Instagram Head Claims Unfamiliarity with Internal Research

During his testimony, Instagram head Adam Mosseri claimed not to recall specifics about Project MYST despite documents suggesting he had approved the study. When questioned, Mosseri stated, “We do a lot of research projects,” after acknowledging only the study’s name. The plaintiff’s lawyer argued this exemplifies why social media companies, rather than parents, should be held accountable for alleged harms to young users.

However, Meta’s defense team contended the study focused narrowly on whether teens felt they were using social media excessively, not on actual addiction. They emphasized that personal and family circumstances, including Kaley’s divorced parents, abusive father, and school bullying, contributed to her negative emotional states rather than social media platforms alone.

Trauma Linked to Increased Social Media Addiction Risk

The research revealed another concerning finding: teenagers who experienced adverse life events such as alcoholic parents or harassment reported less control over their social media use. This correlation suggests that vulnerable youth facing trauma are at heightened risk for problematic social media consumption. Mosseri partially acknowledged this on the stand, noting that people often use Instagram “as a way to escape from a more difficult reality.”

Meanwhile, Meta carefully avoids using the term “addiction,” with Mosseri explaining the company prefers “problematic use” to describe someone “spending more time on Instagram than they feel good about.” The original complaint alleges social media platforms exploit teens through algorithmic feeds designed to maximize scrolling, variable rewards that manipulate dopamine, excessive notifications, and inadequate parental control tools.

Implications for Future Regulation and Industry Practices

This case represents one of several landmark social media addiction trials scheduled for this year that could reshape how tech companies approach younger users. The outcomes may also prompt regulators to pursue stronger oversight and restrictions on social media platforms’ youth-focused features. In contrast to Meta’s internal findings, the company never publicly released the Project MYST results or issued warnings to parents and teenagers based on the research, according to Mosseri’s testimony.

The jury’s interpretation of Project MYST and other research studies presented during the trial will determine the case’s outcome. Meta has been contacted for additional comment but has not yet responded regarding why the study’s findings were not made public or used to warn users about potential risks.