First modification: 02/06/2026 - 15:25Last modification: 02/06/2026 - 15:32
The European Commission concluded in a preliminary investigation that TikTok's design promotes addictive behavior, especially among minors. Brussels demands structural changes to the platform and warns that it could impose sanctions of up to 6% of its global turnover.
The European Commission intensified its pressure on the Chinese application TikTok after concluding, in a preliminary investigation, that the social network violates the Digital Services Act (DSA), of the European Union (EU), for using a design that encourages addictive behavior among its users, especially minors. If the structure of its algorithm is not modified, the platform would have to pay a million-dollar penalty.
According to the Community Executive, the platform model includes features such as infinite scrolling, automatic video playback, constant sending of notifications and a highly personalized recommendation system that encourages prolonged consumption of content, which also makes it difficult to give up.
Brussels maintains that these mechanisms reinforce the user's permanence in the application and can generate negative effects on physical and mental well-being.
Conclusions that are supported by scientific studies that show that excessive exposure to social networks can encourage episodes of anxiety and depression.
The investigation, based on analysis of internal documents, scientific reports and interviews with behavioral addiction experts, determined that TikTok did not adequately evaluate the risks that its design could generate, but has also not implemented visible and measurable changes.
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The Commission noted that the platform ignores key indicators of compulsive use, such as the time minors spend online during the night or the frequency with which they open the application.
Community sources supported the conclusions, citing studies carried out in France and Poland, as well as research from the World Health Organization.
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These reports indicate that TikTok is the most used application by adolescents between 14 and 18 years old after midnight, and that it maintains high popularity among children between 7 and 12 years old even during school hours.
Brussels also maintains an open investigation into the effectiveness of the platform's age verification system. European authorities suspect that current mechanisms do not guarantee real protection of minors against content inappropriate for their age.
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An addictive algorithm
In its assessment, the Commission warned that TikTok's model works through a constant reward system that keeps the user scrolling on the screen and promotes what it describes as a state of "autopilot" in the brain.
For the organism, this design can reduce self-control and encourage compulsive behavior. In these spaces, the brain of the person who uses the 'app' receives constant downloads of fast dopamine and floods it with immediate gratification.
The analysis also questions the effectiveness of the tools implemented by the company to reduce usage time. Brussels considers that screen control options are easy to disable and that parental control systems depend on technical knowledge and additional dedication on the part of parents, which limits their real scope.
As part of its recommendations, the European Commission suggests that TikTok modify its basic structure and make a “less addictive” algorithm.
Among the possible measures are the progressive deactivation of infinite scrolling, the implementation of mandatory screen breaks, even at night, and the review of the recommendation system to limit its capacity to generate compulsive consumption.
With AFP and Reuters
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