European Regulators Warn TikTok to Revamp Addictive Design Features to Avoid EU Fines.
The European Commission has issued a warning to social media giant TikTok, stating that its addictive design features could breach the bloc's new content rules. In preliminary findings released on Friday, the commission believes that TikTok failed to adequately assess and mitigate the risks posed by its "endlessly scrolling feeds" which can harm users' physical and mental wellbeing.
TikTok's constant "rewarding" of users with new content fuels their urge to keep scrolling, shifting their brain into "autopilot mode", according to regulators. The commission warned that social media addiction can have detrimental effects on children's developing minds and teens.
If confirmed, the warning could result in fines up to 6 percent of TikTok's global turnover. The European Union's Digital Services Act requires large online platforms to identify and curb systemic risks linked to their products.
TikTok has responded by stating that the commission's findings are "categorically false" and "entirely meritless". The company is expected to take steps to challenge these findings, as regulators have previously taken action against TikTok for breaching EU digital rules.
The European Commission has issued a warning to social media giant TikTok, stating that its addictive design features could breach the bloc's new content rules. In preliminary findings released on Friday, the commission believes that TikTok failed to adequately assess and mitigate the risks posed by its "endlessly scrolling feeds" which can harm users' physical and mental wellbeing.
TikTok's constant "rewarding" of users with new content fuels their urge to keep scrolling, shifting their brain into "autopilot mode", according to regulators. The commission warned that social media addiction can have detrimental effects on children's developing minds and teens.
If confirmed, the warning could result in fines up to 6 percent of TikTok's global turnover. The European Union's Digital Services Act requires large online platforms to identify and curb systemic risks linked to their products.
TikTok has responded by stating that the commission's findings are "categorically false" and "entirely meritless". The company is expected to take steps to challenge these findings, as regulators have previously taken action against TikTok for breaching EU digital rules.
I mean, who hasn't mindlessly scrolled through TikTok for hours on end? it's like they knew we were all hooked and just went with it 
the fact that they're making us pay attention to this now is great - can you imagine if we'd never found out about the risks? 
. I mean, who hasn't mindlessly scrolled through their For You page for hours, watching videos that are just a bunch of noise? 
It's like they're playing with our emotions and our dopamine levels. The EU is right to crack down on this - social media addiction can have serious effects on kids and teens, especially during these crazy times. 
I'm all about personal freedom, but come on TikTok, take responsibility for your product! 
but seriously though, i feel like theres an issue with how social media is designed to keep us hooked and stuff. my friend's kid has that one app where u collect stuff and its super addictive and now they're always glued to their screen 
dont get me wrong tiktok can be annoying sometimes but thats just part of the package. maybe theres a middle ground where they can make it fun but not too much 
. I mean, who doesn't know that social media can be addictive and bad for our mental health? It's about time the Europeans stepped in to help us out. 
Those endless scrolling feeds are just so easy to get sucked into! And honestly, it's kind of scary how much data TikTok is collecting on us. So yeah, I think it's a great idea that they're reworking their design features to be more user-friendly and less addictive. Let's hope it helps a lot of people. Maybe we can even learn from this experience and create healthier online habits 
. As someone who's spent hours mindlessly scrolling on TikTok, I can see how easily it can get out of control 
. It's hard to stop once you're in that zone 
. I feel like we need to be more mindful about how social media affects our mental health 
. Maybe TikTok needs to re-think its design features before it's too late 
.
. I mean, we all know about the endless scrolling, but who would've thought it could be like a mini brain hacker 
? Like, our brains are literally wired to keep going back for more, even when we know we shouldn't 
. Maybe TikTok's always been a bit too "rewarding" but did they ever think about how it could be affecting our mental health? 
Tiktok has been so aware of the addictive nature of its app and they just keep on doing it anyway 
like what's up with that? 
. we need more accountability, you feel? 