EU to target addictive features on TikTok and Instagram

Investing.com -- The European Union plans to introduce regulation targeting addictive design features on social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram later this year, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Tuesday.

Speaking at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children in Denmark, von der Leyen said the EU will take action against features such as endless scrolling, autoplay, and push notifications on TikTok. The Commission is also examining Meta for allegedly failing to enforce its minimum age requirement of 13 on Instagram and Facebook.

The EU is investigating platforms that allow children access to harmful content, including videos promoting eating disorders or self-harm, von der Leyen said.

The EU Commission has developed an age verification app with privacy standards that member states will be able to integrate into their digital wallets. Online platforms will be able to enforce the verification system, von der Leyen said.

The Commission expects to prepare a legal proposal by summer, pending advice from its Special Panel of experts on Child Safety Online.

The move comes as governments worldwide examine legislation to protect children from social media harms.

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