Campaigners gathered outside Meta's London headquarters on Wednesday, demanding the social media giant pay a 'misery tax' to address the UK's mental health funding gap. The group, Mad Youth Organise, called for 4% of Meta's UK revenue—which surpassed £3bn in 2024—to be directed into public mental health services.
Protesters displayed billboard-style posters outside Meta's Kings Cross offices and handed leaflets to staff. Similar guerrilla posters have been placed around London, critiquing the company's role in what the group describes as a 'youth mental health crisis'. The action coincides with the UK government's public consultation on young people's use of online platforms, which closes on May 26.
Emma Hughes, campaigns organiser for Just Treatment (which includes Mad Youth Organise), said regulation alone would not suffice. 'Big tech is causing harm right now,' she said. 'The government needs to take a strong position and break up the monopolies.' She suggested a publicly-owned social media alternative, similar to public ownership of trains or the NHS, as a potential solution.
The group also urged the government to review competition laws and consider public ownership of social media infrastructure. Adele Zeynep Walton, whose sister Aimee died by suicide after exposure to harmful content on Instagram and Pinterest, backed the call. 'It's time that governments force these platforms to be made safe by design,' she said.
Meta has been approached for comment. The government consultation, titled 'Growing up in an online world', is open for public input until May 26.
