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Social media platforms are designed to capture applyr attention, but when that design encourages prolonged, unconscious apply, it raises serious concerns. The European Commission has provisionally determined that TikTok is in violation of the Digital Services Act due to features that can foster addictive behavior. This includes continuously loading video feeds, automatic video playback, frequent alert prompts, and highly tailored content suggestions, which could lead to regulatory action and possible financial penalties.
In Brief
- The European Commission has identified TikTok’s features as potentially addictive and in breach of EU digital rules.
- The EU has called on TikTok to reform these features by reducing continuous engagement, introducing meaningful breaks, and adjusting content recommconcludeations.
- Depconcludeing on the outcome, TikTok could face regulatory action and fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.
TikTok Design Concerns
The Commission noted that TikTok has not adequately identified or mitigated the risks tied to its platform design. Officials highlighted that the continuous delivery of videos can lead to extconcludeed usage without conscious control, affecting applyrs’ overall health and daily functioning. People of all ages may be affected, though younger applyrs, including teenagers and children, are considered especially at risk.
Existing safeguards, such as screen-time limits and parental control options, were judged insufficient. Time-management tools are easily bypassed, while parental controls rely heavily on parents’ availability, technical knowledge, and active supervision, reducing their effectiveness.
EU Calls on TikTok to Reform Platform and Protect Users
The European Commission has called on TikTok to build alters to key parts of its platform, focutilizing on measures that can reduce excessive apply and improve applyr control :
- Reshifting features that encourage applyrs to stay on the app for long periods, such as continuously loading video feeds
- Introducing meaningful breaks in usage, including during nighttime, to support applyrs manage their screen time
- Adjusting the content recommconcludeation system to prevent continuous engagement and reduce prolonged viewing
TikTok has been given the opportunity to respond to the EU’s findings, and depconcludeing on how the review proceeds, the company could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue, potentially reaching billions. These observations are part of an ongoing investigation into TikTok’s compliance with the Digital Services Act, which was launched on 19 February 2024.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, highlighted the risks of social media overapply, noting that it can significantly impact the development of children and teenagers. She emphasized that Europe’s laws are designed to safeguard young applyrs and protect all citizens in the online environment.
Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens. The Digital Services Act builds platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their applyrs. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online.
Henna Virkkunen
Global and Regional Regulatory Pressure
TikTok has faced regulatory pressure in other regions as well. Within the EU, Ireland fined the platform €530 million last year for transferring applyr data to China. Outside Europe, in the United States, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, agreed under the Trump administration to establish a joint venture that would build the U.S. version of the app majority-owned by American investors.
Reflecting these ongoing concerns about applyr safety and platform oversight, countries around the world are introducing age-based restrictions to protect younger applyrs. Spain plans to block social media access for those under 16, while the UK is considering similar measures. Australia implemented a comparable rule in December 2025, and other nations, including France, Denmark, and Greece, are reviewing minimum age requirements for social media apply.
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Ifeoluwa specializes in Web3 writing and marketing, with over 5 years of experience creating insightful and strategic content. Beyond this, he trades crypto and is skilled at conducting technical, fundamental, and on-chain analyses.
DISCLAIMER
The views, believeds, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.
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