EQUIPThe Verge · 14h ago
Meta considered a ‘whisper strategy’ to turn academics against Jonathan Haidt
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Internal documents reveal Meta considered a covert campaign to discredit social psychologist Jonathan Haidt amid rising pressure over teen mental health safety. The strategy aimed to leverage academic influence to counter Haidt's criticism as the company faced multiple high-stakes legal challenges.
- 01Meta discussed a whisper strategy to turn academic professionals against critic Jonathan Haidt
- 02The plan emerged during significant public and legal scrutiny regarding adolescent mental health
- 03Internal communications suggest Meta prioritized reputation management ahead of impending child safety trials
- 04Court filings confirm the company sought to undermine influential voices through targeted academic narratives
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As Meta was feeling public pressure over teen mental health, and facing an impending onslaught of kids safety trials, the company considered a campaign to discredit a key critic: social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. Newly filed court documents show that in March 2023, Meta discussed a "Whisper strategy" to "turn academics against Haidt," a thought leader […]