European Union authorities have determined that TikTok is violating online content regulations, urging the platform to modify its “addictive” features to safeguard minors from compulsive use. On Friday, the European Commission released preliminary findings from an investigation into TikTok, which highlighted several features that encourage addiction, including infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a personalized recommendation algorithm.
Henna Virkkunen, the EU’s tech chief, emphasized the need for TikTok to make significant changes to its service design in Europe to ensure the protection of young users. “TikTok has to take actions and they have to change the design of their service in Europe to protect our minors,” she remarked.
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier echoed these concerns, noting that the existing measures taken by TikTok are deemed insufficient. He pointed out the substantial risks posed by these features to the mental health and well-being of children. “These features lead to the compulsive use of the app, especially for our kids,” he stated, asserting that the platform breaches the Digital Services Act.
In response, TikTok has dismissed the EU’s findings as unfounded. A spokesperson for the company called the Commission’s preliminary conclusions a “categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform,” and affirmed their intention to challenge these findings.
This investigation is part of a broader effort by EU countries to impose stricter regulations on powerful tech and social media firms with the aim of enhancing protections for young users. The interest in TikTok is particularly heightened due to its ability to utilize advanced algorithms to tailor content to individual user interests, capturing attention in a unique way.
The inquiry began in February 2024, triggered by concerning statistics about TikTok’s usage among minors. Regnier revealed that it is the most commonly used social media platform for children aged 13 to 18 after midnight, with 7 percent of younger users between ages 12 and 15 reportedly spending four to five hours daily on the app.
As authorities continue to scrutinize social media platforms, this investigation underlines the ongoing challenge of balancing user engagement with the safety and well-being of younger audiences. Steps taken now could lead to more responsible social media practices in the future, promoting a healthier online environment.