Meta executives discussed strategies to undermine the credibility of Professor Jonathan Haidt, an academic and author critical of social media's impact on young people's mental health, according to court documents.
Minutes from a March 8, 2023, meeting revealed that senior Meta staff explored ways to persuade the academic community to "disavow" Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University. The goal was to make him appear not credible within the scientific community, particularly ahead of the publication of his book, "The Anxious Generation."
Documents indicate that Meta staff considered recruiting researchers to write "takedown" pieces and employing a "whisper strategy" to turn academics against Haidt. One minute suggests "Get Gelman to write a takedown piece," potentially referring to Columbia University professor Andrew Gelman, who had previously been critical of Haidt's work.
Professor Haidt has been a prominent figure in advocating for stricter regulations on social media, especially concerning its effects on youth mental well-being. His work has influenced policy discussions globally, including in Australia and the UK.
The court documents surfaced as part of a lawsuit filed by a coalition of U.S. school districts against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit alleges that the company's platforms have harmed students.
Professor Haidt stated he was "not surprised" by the revelations, remarking that the company appeared "determined to keep the truth from coming out, even within its own walls."
Meta was contacted for comment.