HomeDigital HabitsDigital SafetyQuizCoursesNewsReadWatchScienceAbout
CONTACT

Screen Sense

Digital guidance and Support
ContactAboutQuizCoachingArticlesTypesHome
Close
HomeDigital HabitsDigital SafetyDigital InsightsQuizCoursesAboutContact
Back to Articles
February 7, 2026
News

European Union says video app TikTok must change ‘addictive’ design

A

uthorities in the European Union said that the video-sharing platform TikTok is in breach of online content regulations, warning the company to change “addictive” features in order to protect minors from compulsive use.

The European Commission shared the preliminary conclusions of a probe into TikTok on Friday, stating that features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and a personalised recommendation algorithm encouraged addiction.

“TikTok has to take actions and they have to change the design of their service in Europe to protect our minors,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters.

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the “measures that TikTok has in place are simply not enough”.

“These features lead to the compulsive use of the app, especially for our kids, and this poses major risks to their mental health and wellbeing,” Regnier said, stating that the app is in violation of the Digital Services Act.

Read the full article on Al Jazeera.

You might Also Like

News

'I was a shopping addict - it needs to be taken more seriously'

A day of retail therapy can be just the ticket for some people to help them feel better about themselves. But what happens when you can't stop shopping? Surrounded by racks of shirts, dresses and jumpers, Lucy tells me that she could spend up to 14 hours a day searching out new clothes as an escape from reality.

Read More
News

Square eyes: Half of Kiwis addicted to devices, many blame Covid pandemic

There's a new addiction in New Zealand - more than a third of Kiwis say they are hooked on their screens and many are blaming Covid for it. As the country enters its second week of lockdown, New Zealanders have been averaging five hours of screen time a day on top of using devices for work and school since the Covid pandemic started last year, a new NortonLifeLock study has found.‍

Read More
News

Survey: Kiwi Parents Concerned About Kids' Tech Use

The survey, which nib conducts annually with global research company, One Picture, canvassed the views of 1,226 parents, step-parents and guardians of children under 18, nationally. This year the survey shows technology use continues to nag at parents, with the real impacts on health and wellbeing increasingly evident. Technology use remains the number one worry for 70% of parents, with 24% ‘extremely concerned’.

Read More
We value your opinion

Feedback Survey

We greatly appreciate your feedback on this website and would like to know what information you found useful and what services you would like to see next. Please take a couple of minutes to let us know.

survey
About us

Screen Sense supports adults and young people (aged 16+) by providing resources that empower them to explore healthy digital habits and develop self-regulation safely, respectfully and with autonomy.

Navigation
HomeDigital HabitsDigital SafetyDigital InsightsQuizCoursesAbout
Contacts
Based in New Zealand
hello@screensense.net
+64 27 707 1467
message us
Send Message
Copyright Screen Sense 2026
Powered by Rapid Evolution