EU to crack down on TikTok, Instagram's 'addictive design' targeting kids (cnbc.com)

Article summary

The EU Commission plans to crack down on 'addictive design' features on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, targeting features like endless scrolling and autoplay. The move aims to protect children from the harms of social media, with the EU expecting to introduce regulation later this year. The EU has been increasing its scrutiny of tech companies, with several fines issued in recent years. The regulation is part of a broader effort to strengthen accountability of tech giants.

Main themes

• Social media regulation
• Addictive design
• Child protection
• Tech company accountability
• EU policy

What commenters say

• Restricting endless scrolling and other addictive features on social media can help reduce their harmful effects, particularly on children.
• The EU's efforts to regulate social media are seen as virtue signaling and may not effectively address the underlying issues.
• Parents have a responsibility to protect their children from the harms of social media, but it is a challenging task and may require additional support and education.
• The tech industry prioritizes profits over the well-being of its users, and stronger regulations are needed to hold companies accountable.
• Age verification and other measures can help protect children, but they must be implemented in a way that respects user privacy and does not create new problems.
• The EU's approach to regulating social media may be overly broad and could have unintended consequences, such as stifling innovation or driving users to alternative platforms.
• Social media companies use algorithms and other design features to maximize engagement, which can be harmful to users and should be subject to regulation.
• The line between protecting children and restricting adult access to social media is blurry, and regulations should be carefully crafted to balance these competing interests.