WASHINGTON (TNND) — European Commission regulators are taking action against TikTok, arguing that some of the app’s design features may encourage addictive patterns of use, particularly among younger users. The case is part of a broader European effort to hold major tech platforms accountable not just for content, but for how their products are built and how they affect users.
Under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, very large online platforms are required to assess and mitigate what regulators call “systemic risks,” including those related to mental health and child safety. The Commission says features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and highly personalized recommendation systems may reinforce compulsive use, and regulators argue TikTok has not done enough to mitigate those risks.
The case is still in a preliminary stage, which means TikTok has an opportunity to respond before any final decision is made. But if regulators ultimately confirm their findings, the consequences could be significant. Under the law, companies found non-compliant could face fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue. Beyond financial penalties, the EU could also require design changes to reduce potentially addictive features.
TikTok says it disagrees with parts of the Commission’s preliminary assessment and points to safety measures it has already introduced, including screen-time reminders and parental controls. Still, the investigation reflects a larger trend in Europe toward regulating platform design itself, not just harmful content posted on platforms.
What the science says about “social media addiction”
The science here is more nuanced.
“Social media addiction” is not currently a formal clinical diagnosis. The World Health Organization does recognize gaming disorder in the ICD-11 classification system, defining it as a pattern of behavior marked by impaired control over gaming. However, social media use is not classified as a standalone disorder in the same way.
That said, researchers have studied how certain platform features, including endless feeds, algorithmic recommendations, and variable rewards, may reinforce habitual or compulsive use for some people. The research doesn’t universally label social media as addictive, but it does examine how design choices can influence behavior and time spent on apps.
How the U.S. approach differs
The European Union has moved toward regulating platform design directly. The United States has taken a more fragmented approach. Right now, the U.S. does not have a comprehensive federal law that targets addictive design features the way the EU’s Digital Services Act does. Instead, current rules focus on related areas.
For example, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates how companies collect data from children under 13, but the law is centered on privacy, not engagement or design features. There is also the proposed Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require platforms to take reasonable steps to mitigate harms to minors and references design practices that may increase time spent online. However, the bill has not become federal law.
The bigger picture
The EU’s action against TikTok highlights a growing global debate over social media regulation. European regulators are increasingly focused on how platforms are designed and whether those designs create risks for users, especially children. In the U.S., lawmakers are still debating whether and how to regulate similar issues at the federal level.
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