EU Pushes TikTok to Redesign App Features That Encourage Overuse

Post by : Saif Nasser

European Union regulators have told a major short-video social media platform that it must change parts of its app design because those features may be encouraging unhealthy levels of use, especially among teenagers. Officials say some tools inside the app are built in a way that keeps people watching for too long without clear breaks.

The warning comes under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, a strict law created to make large online platforms safer and more responsible. This law requires tech companies to study how their systems affect users and to lower risks where harm is possible. If companies fail to act, they can face heavy financial penalties.

EU investigators believe that certain design features — such as endless scrolling, automatic video play, and highly personalized recommendations — can lead to compulsive viewing habits. Users can keep watching clip after clip without choosing to continue, because the next video starts on its own. Regulators say this removes natural stopping points and makes it harder for people, especially children, to log off.

Officials argue that this is not only about entertainment but also about behavior. When an app is designed to hold attention at all costs, it can affect sleep, school performance, and mental health. Young users are seen as the most vulnerable because they may not notice how much time they are spending online.

The EU review also questioned whether the platform has done enough to measure these risks. Under European rules, large tech firms must check how their products may harm users and must show proof that they are reducing those dangers. Regulators say the company’s current risk checks and safety steps are not strong enough.

While the platform offers tools like screen-time alerts and parental controls, EU officials say these are optional and easy to skip. They want deeper design changes instead of simple warning messages. Suggested fixes include slowing autoplay, limiting endless feeds, and adding stronger break reminders that are harder to ignore.

The company has responded by saying it does not agree with the early findings. It says it has already added many safety features and continues to improve youth protection tools. The firm is expected to submit a detailed reply before regulators make a final ruling.

If the EU decides the company broke digital safety rules, the fines could be very large. Under the law, penalties can reach up to six percent of a company’s worldwide yearly revenue. That makes this case important not only for one platform, but for the whole social media industry.

This action shows a wider change in how governments look at tech products. In the past, most focus was on removing harmful content. Now regulators are also looking at how apps are built and how design choices affect behavior. The question is no longer just what users see, but how long and how often they are pushed to keep watching.

Child safety groups and health experts have welcomed closer checks on app design. Many studies have warned that nonstop short-video viewing can raise stress levels and reduce attention span in young people. Regulators say design should support healthy use, not endless engagement.

The next step will depend on how the company answers the EU’s concerns. If changes are made, they could become a model for how social media apps are built in the future. Other countries may also follow with similar rules if Europe’s approach proves effective.