Meta & Children's Online Safety"Problematic use" research share: definitions, people problems, foundational overview
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Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 1 of 22 AMENDED Exhibit 110 PLAINTIFFS' OMNIBUS OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANTS' MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT Case No.: 4:22-md-03047-YGR MDL No. 3047 In Re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation L CONFIDENTIAL 4 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 2 of 22 Foundational Well-being "Problematic use" research share: definitions, people problems, foundational overview Elena Davis April 2019 PENGAD 800-631-8389 EXHIBIT 20 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003016 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 3 of 22 Concepts within the problematic use research space • Lack of control + negative life impact • Difficulty with control over use • Use in inappropriate/harmful contexts • Negative feelings/guilt about use • Desire for better time management • Habitual use that does not align with intentions • Distraction; less mindful attention • Time wasted; spending more time than wanted What people problem(s) should we focus on for product strategy? What are the next research questions to address? CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 2 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003017 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 4 of 22 We have defined "problematic use" as the combination of lack of control + negative life impact from. FB use This was informed by the academic literature, but is not an official definition - it could be argued to be both too lenient and too narrow • There is not enough clinical or neuroscientific evidence to classify a true Facebook "addiction" - but people are still experiencing problems. • Scales to assess problematic use have been described in the academic literature, but there is no agreed-upon definition or cut-off score. • We have oriented around the (less clinical) construct of "problematic use," referring to Facebook use that is causing problems in people's lives and that they find difficult to control or change. • Our problematic use survey measured lack of control, FOMO, and negative impact in work/school, relationships, sleep, or life in general. • Participants from qualitative research have described symptoms consistent with academic scales, but some common Facebook complaints are not captured. • 55% of people feel they "spend too much time on social media" and people often endorse losing track of time, feeling guilty, using FB in inappropriate contexts, etc. CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 3 META3047MDL-019-00003018 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 5 of 22 Survey questions to identify problematic use Survey items measuring problematic use Negative life impact How often do you get less sleep than you want because you're using Facebook? Never Rarely Sometimes Vers offer le Overall, how much does your use of Facebook hurt your relationships with others? Very slightly or not at all A little Moderately Very m To what extent does Facebook help or hurt your work or school performance? Helps greatly Helps somewhat Neither helps nor hurts. Hurts somewhat Horiserais Overall, do you feel like Facebook has had a positive or negative impact in your life? Ver, nevadice ampact/ Somewhat negative impact Neither positive nor negative impact Somewhat positive impact / Very positive impact Control or preoccupation How much control do you feel you have over the amount of time you spend on Facebook? A little control Some control A lot of control Complete control How concerned are you about missing important posts on Facebook if you don't log in frequently enough? Not at all concerned, A little concerned. Somewhat concerned Very concerned. Estrenaels esnecraed Table 1: The problematic Facebook use survey included questions on negative life impact and control. CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 4 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003019 Reported Problematic Use Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 6 of 22 In a US survey of 20,000 FB users, 3.1% endorsed problematic use They are more likely to be younger and male, and experiencing a recent major life event like a move or break up. They spend more time overall, have more sessions, spend more time late at night, receive and respond to more notifications, and deactivate their accounts more frequently. 10 5% * Men • Women -Overall 0% 13 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Age Figure 1: The prevalence of reported problematic use is high- est among teens and young adults. Men are also more likely than women to report experiencing problematic use. CONFIDENTIAL Time on the site*** Sessions Distinct hours in a day with a session*** Fraction of sessions late at night (12AM-4AM) How valuable do you find the time you spend on Facebook?*** Push notifications received" Fraction of push notifications responded to** 0% 10% 20% 30% Average time to respond to notification (n.s.) -20% 0% 20% 40% e a Foundational Well-being Research 5 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003020 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 7 of 22 A proposed taxonomy of types of problematic use is informed by concepts related to addiction: reward learning and habitual behavior REMOVING SOMETHING NEGATIVE DELIBERATE/HIGH AWARENESS Maladaptive behaviors Procrastination Escape from negative feelings (boredom, loneliness) Behaviors done somewhat intentionally in order to escape a negative experience, but in a way that is likely unhelpful for the person over time. Compulsive behaviors Reliance on constant social approval Checking due to fear of missing out Behaviors that are being driven by powerful psychological forces, like anxiety or low self-esteem, where Facebook provides some relief (at least temporarily). Intentional indulgence Responding to notifications, Indulging on entertaining making posts, monitoring content responses and feedback Behaviors done deliberately, but may be done too much, or in situations that are not good for the person (e.g., when with friends, when driving, when running late). Mindless consumption, "waste of time" Temptation or distraction: "rabbit hole" of new content Behaviors with low awareness related to over-consumption of rewards and being distracted by novelty. GETTING SOMETHING POSITIVE CONFIDENTIAL AUTOMATIC/LOW AWARENESS Foundational Well-being Research 6 META3047MDL-019-00003021 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 8 of 22 Discussion: how/whether to broaden the definition to include more people/mild negative experiences • Change the problematic use criteria to be endorsing a single item - either focusing on lack of control or on negative life impact. • Use more mild endorsement of the different criteria. • Explore nuance within constructs like "spending too much time" on Facebook. • Ask about negative feelings from use. • Probe other related constructs - e.g., desire to reduce FB use but feel unable to; "unintentional use." 11% Problematic Use Relationships 2.9% 7.6% Sleep Overall Negative 2.4% Performance 1.6% Negative Life Impact Control Issues 6.5% Mild Problematic Use 48% Negative Life Impact 1.9% Time Spent FOMO 5% Relationships 29% 25% Sleep Performance 7.6% Overall Negative 14% Control Issues Time 22% FOMO 17% Spent 33% CONFIDENTIAL ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003022 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 9 of 22 References Cheng, Burke, & Davis (2019): Understanding Perceptions of Problematic Facebook Use: When People Experience Negative Life Impact and a Lack of Control https://www.dropbox.com/s/qcteosvm3qw57hp/ Understanding%20Perceptions%20of%20Problematic%20Use%20%28CHI%202019%29.pdf?dl=0 Workplace note: https://fb.workplace.com/notes/justin-cheng/problematic-facebook-use-when-people-feel-like- facebook-negatively-affects-their/299978474089479/ Davis (2018a): Facebook "Addiction": A response to the public narrative based on clinical and neuroscience research https://www.dropbox.com/s/hspo6y9yddxzc14/FBaddiction_Davis_062818.key?dl=0 Workplace deck (abbreviated): https://our.internmc.facebook.com/intern/research/p/iaqi9a9mql/ Davis (2018b): Semi-Structured Interviews about Time Spent https://fb.quip.com/vpvaAV50a0fi Davis (2018c): Problematic use qualitative interviews (Birmingham, UK) - unpublished (2019): Well-being drivers: A model for identifying Facebook's opportunity areas and measuring success. https://our.internmc.facebook.com/intern/research/p/2tztlbfye7/ CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 8 META3047MDL-019-00003023 More detail - Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 10 of 22 • Comparison of problematic use and addiction • Academic scales and internal scales • User quotes • Addiction framework: reward processing and habit • Example taxonomy of people problems in more detail CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 9 META3047MDL-019-00003024 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 11 of 22 Problematic use vs. Facebook "addiction" There is growing concern in the public that technology companies are deliberately manipulating users by designing addictive products that can harm well-being and subvert self-control. Key questions: 1. Is Facebook "addictive"? 2. How do we understand and help people who feel this way? CONFIDENTIAL ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003025 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 12 of 22 There is not enough evidence for a true Facebook "addiction" - but people are still experiencing problems Internet / Facebook use are not currently classified as addictive behaviors in any clinical manual. • Gambling and gaming are the only defined behavioral addictions, though even this is controversial: can behaviors be "addictive" in the same way as drugs? • Behaviors on Facebook are varied, so it is unclear what is actually addictive - chatting? gaming? getting likes? learning information? Certain rewarding Facebook behaviors (e.g., receiving social approval, sharing about yourself) do activate the brain's dopamine system, but in fundamentally different ways than addictive drugs. Academics are debating about whether problematic Facebook use would be an "addiction" or something else - for example, a compulsive or impulsive type behavior. Regardless, it is clear that clinicians are seeing people reporting problems with Facebook use. CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 11 META3047MDL-019-00003026 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 13 of 22 Because there is no agreed-upon clinical phenomenon, definitions are varied Based on clinical criteria, the most severe individuals would likely experience: Multiple symptoms Examples: + Preoccupying thoughts: thoughts about Facebook use are excessive, absorbing, and irresistible Overwhelming behavior: drive to use Facebook is extremely strong, despite desire and/or attempts to stop "Tolerance": more and more use is needed to achieve desired feelings Persistence over time Use continues despite significant negative life impacts Problematic symptoms are not limited to unique or temporary circumstances + 4 Negative life impact Facebook use has caused significant negative impacts on important areas of life functioning, e.g., loss of job or relationships Other important interests are neglected in favor of Facebook use CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 12 META3047MDL-019-00003027 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 14 of 22 Scales to assess problematic use have been described in the academic literature Survey question Addiction domain Type of problem How often during the last year have you spent a lot of time Salience thinking about Facebook or planned use of Facebook? Lack of control over thoughts How often during the last year have you felt an urge to use Facebook more and more? Tolerance How often during the last year have you used Facebook in order to forget about personal problems? How often during the last year have you tried to cut down on the use of Facebook without success? How often during the last year have you become restless or troubled if you have been prohibited from using Facebook? How often during the last year have you used Facebook so much that it has had a negative impact on your job/studies? *Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale: Andreassen, C. S.. Torsheim, T., Brunborg, G. 5., & Pallesen, $. (2012). Development of a Facebook addiction scale. Psychological Reports, 110, 501-517. CONFIDENTIAL Lack of control over increasing use Mood modification avoid real-life problems) Maladaptive use (use to Relapse Withdrawal Conflict Lack of control over stopping use Compulsive use (use to avoid negative feelings) Real-life negative impact Foundational Well-being Research 13 META3047MDL-019-00003028 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 15 of 22 Common Facebook-related complaints or issues would not rise to the level of problematic use Excessive use Using Facebook a lot does not constitute a problem in of itself - this needs to be considered along with other symptoms, the context of use, and what negative impacts have occurred. Using more than you want to, or feeling guilty about use This is a personal judgment call and not a sign of a disorder, unless the negative feelings are causing significant distress and use cannot be controlled. Feeling a lack of control Unless this feeling is associated with increasing use, having failed attempts to stop use, or negative life impacts. CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 14 META3047MDL-019-00003029 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 16 of 22 For our research purposes, we have defined problematic use as lack of control + negative life impact Survey question wenwen How concerned are you about missing important posts on Facebook if you don't log in frequently enough? How much control do you feel you have over the amount of time you spend on Facebook? N/A N/A N/A Overall, do you feel like Facebook has had a positive or negative impact in your life? From problematic use survey (Cheng, Burke, & Davis, 2019) CONFIDENTIAL Type of problem Lack of control over thoughts Lack of control over [increasing] use Maladaptive use (use to avoid real-life problems) Lack of control over stopping use Compulsive use (use to avoid negative feelings) Real-life negative impact Foundational Well-being Research 15 META3047MDL-019-00003030 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 17 of 22 Examples of mild negative impact - feelings and behaviors Negative Impact: Feelings • "Time wasted" "Feel shallow" "Distracted" "Guilt" "Regret" "Stupid" • "Fatigue" • "Disgust" - Negative Impact: Behaviors • Less productive • Almost late • Distracted while driving • Could have been doing other more important or enjoyable things • Not fully engaged with other things From Semi-Structured Interviews About Time Spent CONFIDENTIAL Foundational Well-being Research 21 META3047MDL-019-00003036 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 18 of 22 We can use the "addiction" framework as a useful orienting point to understand common Facebook problems Addictive process Take drug or engage in addictive behavior Do the behavior repeatedly, and increasingly Brain compensates to become less sensitive; person feels unwell without the behavior Behavior causes serious negative impacts and person can't control doing the behavior Brain signals a reward (dopamine release) Form a habit Dependence/compulsion (powerful urges) Addictive disorder Positive reinforcement Habit Negative reinforcement We can dispute that this stage occurs with respect to Facebook* but seek to understand the negative life impacts *To be classified as an addictive disorder, the negative life impacts must be seriously life-impairing and directly attributable to the behavior itself and not other reasons, and the control over one's behavior must be severely limited - related to brain changes. There is no evidence to date that this occurs for Facebook use. CONFIDENTIAL Aspects of these processes are relevant for Facebook behavior Facebook App Research 22 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003037 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 19 of 22 The concepts of reward / reinforcement and habit help to categorize problematic Facebook behaviors Aspect of addictive process Positive reinforcement Behavior is strengthened because it results in getting something positive Habit Habits are automatic and require effortful control to change. Any repeated, reinforced behavior can become a habit. Negative reinforcement Behavior is strengthened because it results in the removal of something negative How to identify Is the behavior motivated by receiving something positive, like a reward? Is the behavior done automatically and with low awareness? Or is there deliberate choice, but the behavior is repeated so much that it can become a habit? Is the behavior motivated by the removal of something negative, like escaping from a negative emotion or checking Facebook to avoid "missing out"? Required: Are these behaviors having significant negative life impacts? CONFIDENTIAL Facebook App Research 23 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003038 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 20 of 22 The concepts of reward / reinforcement and habit help to categorize problematic Facebook behaviors Aspect of addictive process Positive reinforcement Behavior is strengthened because it results in getting something positive Habit Habits are automatic and require effortful control to change. Any repeated, reinforced behavior can become a habit. Negative reinforcement Behavior is strengthened because it results in the removal of something negative LWA How it may manifest on Facebook Facebook's rewards are easily accessible, available all the time, limitless, and unpredictable, so it is easy to consume too much Facebook cues can trigger automatic, learned behavioral responses that can feel unintentional or out of the users' control Facebook may provide an escape or distraction from real-life negative experiences, so that negative emotions could trigger Facebook use CONFIDENTIAL Facebook App Research 24 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003039 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Framework of potentially problematic Facebook behaviors Do you choose the behavior intentionally? *Note that intentional behaviors can become habits if repeated DELIBERATE/ HIGH AWARENESS REMOVING SOMETHING NEGATIVE CONFIDENTIAL Page 21 of 22 What reinforcement do you get for the behavior? Negative reinforcement Positive reinforcement Negative reinforcement + habit Positive reinforcement + habit AUTOMATIC/ LOW AWARENESS GETTING SOMETHING POSITIVE Facebook App Research 25 ΜΕΤΑ3047MDL-019-00003040 Case 4:22-md-03047-YGR Document 2885-41 Filed 03/26/26 Page 22 of 22 Framework of potentially problematic Facebook behaviors DELIBERATE/ HIGH AWARENESS REMOVING SOMETHING NEGATIVE Maladaptive behaviors Procrastination Escape from negative feelings (boredom, loneliness) Behaviors done somewhat intentionally in order to escape a negative experience, but in a way that is likely unhelpful for the person over time. Compulsive behaviors Reliance on constant social approval Checking due to fear of missing out Behaviors that are being driven by powerful psychological forces, like anxiety or low self-esteem, where Facebook provides some relief (at least temporarily). Intentional indulgence Responding to notifications, Indulging on entertaining making posts, monitoring responses and feedback content Behaviors done deliberately, but may be done too much, or in situations that are not good for the person (e.g., when with friends, when driving, when running late). Mindless consumption, "waste of time" Temptation or distraction: "rabbit hole" of new content Behaviors with low awareness related to over-consumption of rewards and being distracted by novelty. GETTING SOMETHING POSITIVE CONFIDENTIAL AUTOMATIC/ LOW AWARENESS Facebook App Research 26 META3047MDL-019-00003041