The European Commission may issue TikTok a fine due to the addictive nature and features of the platform.
The commission’s preliminary findings found that TikTok failed to address how the addictive nature and features of TikTok could have a harmful impact on the physical and mental health of its users, including children and vulnerable adults.
The EU said TikTok’s features push users to continue scrolling and place their minds into an “autopilot” as new content stimulates their brains, leading to a potential loss of self-control and increasing compulsiveness.
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The commission added that TikTok has disregarded indicators of compulsive users, including how frequently users open the app and how much time minors spend on it at night.
“Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens,” said EU tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen.
If the EU confirms its findings, this could lead to a fine of 6 per cent of the video-sharing platform’s global annual revenue. To avoid the fine, the commission said TikTok needs to implement screen-time breaks, disable key addictive features, and change its recommendation system so that it is in line with the EU Digital Services Act.
“The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their users. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online,” Virkkunen said.
The EU acknowledged that TikTok has some mitigation measures, such as screen-time management tools and parental controls, but said they are likely ineffective due to the ease of their dismissal and the requirement for active moves to enable them.
This comes not long after Australia’s controversial social media ban, which prohibits users under the age of 16 from using social media platforms.
TikTok is one of many platforms included in the ban, alongside Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
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Daniel Croft
Born in the heart of Western Sydney, Daniel Croft is a passionate journalist with an understanding for and experience writing in the technology space. Having studied at Macquarie University, he joined Momentum Media in 2022, writing across a number of publications including Australian Aviation, Cyber Security Connect and Defence Connect. Outside of writing, Daniel has a keen interest in music, and spends his time playing in bands around Sydney.
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