Meta Discussed "Whisper Strategy" to Discredit Social Media Critic Jonathan Haidt

Internal Discussions Revealed

Court documents show that Meta employees discussed a "whisper strategy" to undermine Jonathan Haidt, an academic whose work has influenced global social media regulation debates. Minutes from internal meetings indicate staff sought to discredit Haidt, author of "The Anxious Generation."

Strategy to Disavow Haidt

A document titled "Well-being Meeting Sound-check Notes" details discussions on how Meta could "turn other academics against Haidt" and "get the academic community to disavow Haidt." The strategy was described as a "below-the-line campaign" rather than a "loud strategy," with mentions of "debunking" his work.

A meeting on March 8, 2023, included a reference to Meta's then vice-president of research, Curtiss Cobb, whose goal was to "enrage" academics so the media would find Haidt "not credible." The documents also suggest getting someone named "Gellman" to write a "takedown piece," though Andrew Gelman, a professor critical of Haidt, stated he was never hired by Facebook for such a purpose.

Haidt's Influence on Regulation

Jonathan Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation," argues that smartphone use has contributed to a mental health crisis among young people. He advocates for strict regulations, including social media bans for under-16s and smartphone bans in schools. His work has prompted discussions with officials, such as the UK's then health secretary, regarding potential social media bans.

Context of the Discussions

The internal Meta minutes were produced before Haidt's book was published in 2024. The discussions specifically addressed a Substack post by Haidt where he reviewed various articles. It remains unclear whether Meta implemented any of the discussed strategies.