Particle.news
Download on the App Store

EU Flags TikTok Over Addictive Design as Europe Moves to Curb Children's Social Media

Policy responses span negotiated safeguards to strict age thresholds to curb harmful content reaching young users.

Overview

  • The European Commission issued a provisional finding that TikTok’s infinite scroll and personalized recommendations breach the Digital Services Act due to addictive design, urging core design changes and warning of fines up to 6% of global revenue if confirmed.
  • Albania said it will lift its one‑year TikTok ban after coordinating measures with the platform to limit exposure to harmful material, calling the earlier ban a temporary preventive step focused on youth welfare.
  • Germany’s CDU is expected to take up a proposal at its Feb. 20–21 party conference to require age verification and limit TikTok, Instagram and Facebook to users 16 and older, according to reporting by Bild.
  • Slovenia is considering prohibiting social‑media use by children under 15, local media reported, adding to a growing set of national approaches.
  • France and Spain have reported similar initiatives to restrict children’s access to social networks, reflecting a wider European debate on youth safety online.