Court documents reveal Meta's plans to counter critic Jonathan Haidt
New legal filings indicate that Meta executives discussed a strategy to influence academic opinion against social psychologist Jonathan Haidt in early 2023.
Court records from March 2023 show that Meta considered a coordinated effort to discredit social psychologist Jonathan Haidt amid mounting public and legislative scrutiny regarding the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. The proposed initiative, described internally as a 'whisper strategy,' sought to leverage academic circles to challenge Haidt’s research and public claims.
Haidt, who has argued that social media platforms contribute to rising rates of anxiety and depression among youth, became a focal point for the company following his 2022 Congressional testimony. At the time the strategy was discussed, Haidt had begun expanding the reach of his theories through his Substack platform, prior to the publication of his book, 'The Anxious Generation.'
The internal deliberations occurred as Meta prepared for significant legal challenges related to child safety policies. The documents provide a look into how the technology firm manages external criticism as it faces ongoing regulatory pressure.