Meta’s internal strategy to erode public trust in psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who highlights social media’s negative impact on teen mental health, has unintentionally united his critics and supporters against the company following court revelations.
- Meta discussed secret plans to discredit Jonathan Haidt in 2023 court filings.
- Critics and Haidt reject the notion of Meta influencing their academic views.
- The episode highlights tensions between tech companies and researchers on social media harms.
What happened
In court documents filed in 2026, it emerged that three years earlier, Meta employees deliberated on a ‘Whisper strategy’ aimed at turning academic opinion against Jonathan Haidt. Haidt, known for his bestselling book 'The Anxious Generation,' argues that social media has contributed to worsening teen mental health. Internal Meta discussions included ideas for covert campaigns, such as commissioning critiques by other academics to challenge Haidt’s conclusions.
Though it is unclear if Meta implemented these plans, the revelation itself has caused controversy. Several academics who have previously critiqued Haidt have publicly denied any coordination or payments from Meta to influence their views. Meta declined to comment on the matter.
Why it matters
The exposure of Meta’s internal deliberations highlights the fraught relationship between technology companies and researchers investigating social media’s societal impacts. Haidt’s work, while influential, is polarizing, with some scholars disputing his conclusions on the overall harms of social media on adolescents.
This incident has united Haidt and some of his critics in condemning Meta’s approach to shaping public discourse through covert campaigns rather than open debate. It raises concerns about corporate influence on academic discussions, transparency, and ethical boundaries in responding to criticism.
What to watch next
Observers will be monitoring how Meta responds to this backlash and whether the company embraces more transparent engagement with research on social media’s effects. The unfolding public scrutiny could pressure tech companies to reconsider how they address critics and scientific findings.
Meanwhile, the broader debate over social media’s impact on youth mental health, fueled by figures like Haidt and his challengers, will continue to influence regulatory and platform policy discussions in the US and globally.