TL;DR
The European Union announced it will take regulatory action against TikTok and Instagram for their addictive features targeting children. The EU aims to enforce stricter age verification and curb harmful content. Details on the legal proposals are expected later this year.
The European Union has announced plans to regulate social media platforms TikTok and Instagram for their ‘addictive design’ features targeting children, including endless scrolling, autoplay, and push notifications. The move aims to protect minors from harmful content and reduce the risk of social media addiction, marking a significant step in EU digital policy.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated Tuesday at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children that the EU will take action against TikTok and Meta’s platforms for features that promote excessive engagement among young users. The EU intends to enforce stricter regulations, including the deployment of a new age verification app that meets the highest privacy standards, which member states can integrate into their digital wallets for easier enforcement.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the technology for effective age verification is available and that the EU is preparing a legal proposal, possibly by summer, after consulting its ‘Special Panel of experts on Child Safety Online.’ The investigation will also focus on platforms allowing children to access harmful content, such as videos promoting eating disorders or self-harm.
CNBC reports that the EU’s crackdown aligns with broader efforts to hold Big Tech accountable for child safety, amid recent fines and investigations into Meta, Google, and Twitter for violations related to user safety and platform compliance. The EU has also criticized platforms for failing to enforce their own age restrictions, with preliminary findings indicating minors can bypass checks easily.
Why It Matters
This development is significant because it signals a shift toward stricter regulation of social media platforms to prioritize child safety. If implemented, these measures could limit minors’ exposure to harmful content and reduce addictive behaviors associated with social media. It also reflects growing international pressure on Big Tech to address concerns about mental health and online harms among young users.
For readers, this means increased regulation and potential changes to how platforms operate in Europe, possibly influencing global standards for online safety. It underscores the importance of safeguarding children in digital environments and the EU’s willingness to enforce accountability on major tech companies.
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Background
The EU has been increasingly active in regulating Big Tech, especially regarding child safety and data privacy. Recent actions include fines against Meta and Google for breaches of competition laws and investigations into platforms like Twitter for hosting harmful content. The EU’s move to regulate addictive features follows a broader trend of countries proposing or enacting legislation to restrict social media use among minors, such as Australia’s social media ban for under-16s enacted in December 2024.
This initiative builds on previous efforts to enforce age restrictions and combat harmful content, amid rising concerns about social media addiction and its impact on youth mental health. The EU’s upcoming legal proposal aims to set a precedent for platform accountability and user protection.
“We are taking action against TikTok and its addictive design – endless scrolling, autoplay, and push notifications. The same applies to Meta, because we believe Instagram and Facebook are failing to enforce their own minimum age of 13.”
— Ursula von der Leyen
“The technology for age-verification is available. No more excuses.”
— Ursula von der Leyen
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear exactly when the new regulations will be finalized and enforced, as the EU is awaiting advice from its expert panel. Details about how platforms will implement these measures and the scope of the restrictions remain to be clarified. Additionally, the response from TikTok, Meta, and other platforms has not yet been publicly disclosed.
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What’s Next
The EU plans to finalize its legal proposal by summer 2026, after which member states will begin integrating the new age verification tools. Platforms will likely need to adapt their features to comply with upcoming regulations, with enforcement expected later this year. Further updates on the legislative process and platform responses are anticipated.
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Key Questions
What specific features on TikTok and Instagram are targeted?
The EU is focusing on features like endless scrolling, autoplay videos, and push notifications that are designed to maximize user engagement, particularly among children.
How will the EU verify the age of social media users?
The EU has developed an age verification app that adheres to the highest privacy standards, which member states can integrate into their digital wallets for enforcement. The details of implementation are still being finalized.
When will these regulations take effect?
The EU aims to have a legal proposal ready by summer 2026, with enforcement expected later in the year once the legislation is adopted and platforms have adapted.
What are the potential consequences for platforms that fail to comply?
Non-compliance could result in fines and restrictions, similar to previous penalties faced by Meta, Google, and Twitter for other violations under EU law.
