GoKawiilMeta court filings show 2023 plan to 'turn academics against' Jonathan Haidt
Court filings unsealed in a California case reveal Meta employees in 2023 discussed a 'Whisper strategy' aimed at discrediting Jonathan Haidt, the author whose research links social media to teen mental health problems. One idea floated was recruiting an academic, possibly Columbia's Andrew Gelman, to write a critical takedown of Haidt's work. It's unclear whether Meta ever carried out the plan, and the company declined to comment.
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The disclosure has drawn criticism from both Haidt supporters and his academic critics, several of whom have publicly denied any Meta involvement in their independent critiques, suggesting the revelation may undercut the credibility of legitimate scientific debate over Haidt's claims. The episode could fuel broader scrutiny of how tech companies respond to research that threatens their business interests, especially amid ongoing litigation over social media's effects on youth.
- Court filings reveal Meta discussed a 'Whisper strategy' to discredit Jonathan Haidt in 2023.
- One proposal involved recruiting an academic to write a critical piece on Haidt's work.
- Academics named or implied have denied receiving payment or direction from Meta, and Meta declined to comment.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt — This is the very book at the center of Meta's alleged campaign, making it a timely read for anyone following the controversy. Haidt lays out his research-backed argument about smartphones and social media's effects on youth mental health, letting readers judge the evidence themselves.
See The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Lauren Feiner, 2026-11-13
Published there as: “Meta discussed attacking Jonathan Haidt — now even his haters are annoyed”
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