Court filings reveal Meta discussed a covert plan to undermine critic Jonathan Haidt

Recent court filings in California show that Meta employees discussed a 2023 strategy, dubbed the "Whisper strategy," aimed at turning academics against psychologist Jonathan Haidt. Haidt was about to publish a bestselling book arguing that platforms like Meta's harm children. He had spent years promoting the theory that social media and smartphones are damaging young people. The revelation has drawn criticism from across the debate, including from Haidt's own detractors, who object to the company's approach. The plan's disclosure has reportedly backfired on Meta, reinforcing scrutiny of its treatment of critics.