EU regulators on Thursday opened investigations into the American tech giant Meta for the potentially addictive effects Instagram and Facebook have on children.

Meta’s products may “exploit the weaknesses and inexperience of minors” to create behavioural dependencies that threaten their mental well-being, the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-member bloc, said in a statement. EU regulators could ultimately fine Meta up to 6 per cent of its global revenue, which was $135 billion last year, as well as force other product changes.

The investigations are part of a growing effort by governments around the world to rein in services like Instagram and TikTok to protect minors. Meta has for years faced criticism that its products and recommendation algorithms are fine-tuned to hook children. In October, three dozen states in the US sued Meta for using “psychologically manipulative product features” to lure children, in violation of consumer protection laws.