EU Challenges TikTok’s Addictive Social Media Practices

The European Commission has taken an unprecedented step under the Digital Services Act (DSA) by formally challenging the addictive design of TikTok. For the first time, the Commission has set out detailed findings on how core platform design features—such as infinite scrolling, recommender systems, and the absence of effective screen time limits—may create systemic risks, particularly to the mental health of minors.

According to the Commission, TikTok’s design choices incentivize prolonged use and may constitute an enforceable risk under the DSA. This marks a shift from content-focused enforcement toward scrutiny of platform architecture itself. If TikTok fails to address the concerns, it could face fines of up to 6 percent of its annual global turnover, payable in euro, setting a strong precedent for DSA enforcement.

The case has broader implications for other major platforms. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram are already under investigation for similar design-related risks, including potential harm to children. Legal experts expect the Commission to use the TikTok findings as a reference point, while tailoring remedies to the specific risk profiles and usage patterns of each service.

Any final outcome is likely to follow extended exchanges between the Commission and TikTok, including possible commitments on default settings, user controls, or the removal of specific design features. The proceedings signal a new phase of DSA enforcement, in which addictive design is treated as a regulatory compliance issue rather than a purely ethical or societal concern.