As America’s leading virtual counseling platform for treating unhealthy behaviors related to web-enabled activities, it’s our job to recognize and alert vulnerable populations to potential risks associated with using certain technologies. So ever since Meta glasses (featuring a built-in screen) were released in the USA in 2025, we have been keeping a keen eye on developments. Doing so is logical, as it is universally accepted that predecessor smartphones (hardware) and applications (software) are designed with problematic integrations:
“Smartphones and apps are intentionally engineered to be addictive, using psychological tricks like variable rewards, infinite scrolling, and push notifications to trigger dopamine releases. Techniques, such as “pull-to-refresh” (similar to slot machines), are designed to keep users constantly engaged, with nearly 50% of users reporting addictive behaviors.” (University of Texas PB)
Why should Meta glasses, crafted by the conglomerate currently on trial for developing applications to be addictive among young and vulnerable groups, be any different? Having been on the national market for just six months (at press) time will tell more about the potential for mental health complications. For the time being, we can take a look at product integrations that have already proven problematic when applied in other areas, and then connect them to what vulnerable persons should be mindful of before adopting another internet-of-things (IoT) technology into their lives.
Overview of How Meta Glasses May be Problematic for the Mental and Behavioral Health of Vulnerable Populations
AI Dependency and Cognitive Atrophy
Meta glasses feature an integrated Meta AI assistant. The hands-free voice-activated assistant allows users to ask questions with a simple “Hey Meta”. It can be used to perform traditional online searches, and can also identify, analyze, and translate a wearer’s surroundings. While convenient, research has already found that similar AI assistants hinder problem-solving by causing cognitive atrophy, where reduced mental effort diminishes critical thinking and memory. Harvard reports that AI assistants can promote dependency, leading to reduced independent verification and potential reliance on flawed or average, “median” solutions. Furthermore, they often lack the contextual understanding required for complex, novel, or nuanced problems. How is this a mental health issue? Studies find that cognitive atrophy related to excessive AI use is linked to increased anxiety and depression due to decreased human agency, social isolation (more on this below) and a loss of purpose, with data indicating a 30% higher chance of moderate depression in daily AI users. Those who already struggle with anxiety, depression, and/or cognitive impairment need to be more mindful when deciding on whether or not Meta glasses are appropriate for them.
Social Isolation
Meta glasses wearers who deeply engage with the device and its applications are effectively in their own little world. It becomes easier to ask Meta AI something that a user may otherwise have leaned over to inquire about with a casual acquaintance, barista, bus driver, or stranger, et cetera. As a more advanced version of a smartphone, usage may promote social isolation by creating barriers to genuine interaction, reducing, rather than promoting, true presence with others in the real world.
A wide body of research confirms that social isolation is a major stressor, causing chronic loneliness that can lead to emotional dysregulation and can harm mental health by increasing risks for depression, anxiety, cognitive decline (see above) and for particularly vulnerable persons – suicidal ideation. Adding a layer of complexity, is the observance that individuals who already experience social isolation exhibit a propensity to turn to AI assistants for support, finding them to be safe, non-judgmental, and validating. While Meta AI (or any other) may offer immediate comfort, overuse presents the risk of replacing rather than supplementing human interaction. This may potentially exacerbate long-term loneliness and reinforce social avoidance.
Doomscrolling in Plain View
Recent updates to Meta glasses allow users to view Instagram Reels. This is problematic for those who are unable to control consumption of negative, distressing, or alarming news on their Instagram Reels feed, despite exposure causing feelings of anxiety, stress, and/or depression. This behavior, known as doomscrolling, is disproportionately high among Millennials and Gen-Z, with 46% and 53% self-reporting a problem with doomscrolling, respectively. This is the same demographic-duo responsible for purchasing the bulk of Meta glasses thus far. Those who self-report as being addicted to doomscrolling should click here to learn more about their vulnerability.
Discreet Recording Makes Voyeuristic Behavior Easier
When camera-enabled smartphones first arrived, the public expressed concern about increased risk of unethical behavior regarding surveillance and non-consensual filming. Most have us have witnessed someone at the beach (or elsewhere) pretending to take a selfie or snap a photo of the horizon when in fact their lens was firmly positioned on a woman or man (or group of women or men).
While casually called out as being “Peeping Toms”, individuals participating in such behavior may exhibit voyeuristic disorder, which is paraphilic disorder characterized by intense, recurrent sexual urges or fantasies involving spying on non-consenting individuals. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that this behavior is more common that many may think, with estimated lifetime prevalence rates of up to 12% in men and 4% in women. While the NIH indicates that precise numbers are difficult to determine due to under-reporting, some studies note that over 79% of individuals in certain community samples may engage in some form of voyeuristic behavior when the risk of being caught is low. Smartphone cameras have better enabled this behavior, although the risk of being caught remains somewhat high. Meta glasses on the other hand, offer seamless surveillance and recording capabilities with people in plain view being none-the-wiser. This poses a significant risk not just to public privacy, but to individuals with voyeuristic disorder by enabling easy, discreet, and instant access to non-consensual voyeuristic activities. All things equal, they will have a harder time managing urges.
The risk of addictive and unhealthy behaviors and dependencies continues to grow as the Internet-of-Things delivers new technologies to the masses. Whether recognizing a mental health issue related to the use of Meta glasses or some other form of web-enabled activity, Kindbridge is here for you. Reach out via the contacts provided below to develop the skills needed for healthier online behavior.
