(new: Streeck in the fifth paragraph)
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) – Attention, risk of addiction: In the middle of the debate about a social media ban for young people, the EU Commission is targeting the online platform Tiktok. The company faces a severe penalty. It is not the first tech giant that the Brussels authority has taken action against. This has already led to conflicts with the government of US President Donald Trump, which classifies the EU Commission’s actions against US companies such as Facebook parent Meta (Meta Platforms (ex Facebook)) as an attack on freedom of expression.
With more than 200 million users in Europe, Tiktok is one of the most popular platforms – especially among young people. But according to the preliminary results of an EU investigation, the online giant is violating European law. Specifically, according to information from Brussels, this involves addiction-promoting mechanisms – for example, highly personalized recommendations and the uninterrupted automatic playing of videos.
Is social media for children?
The case has not yet been decided, and Tiktok has announced resistance. Nevertheless, the classification is likely to fuel the discussion about whether children and young people are allowed to use social media at all.
There has been a strict ban on everyone under the age of 16 in Australia since mid-December. In France, Great Britain and other countries there are also plans and initiatives to prohibit minors under the age of 15 or 16 from using it. In November, the Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) spoke out in favor of age restrictions and protective mechanisms for social networks based on the model of the FSK, but rejected a general ban at the time.
“We have to support children and young people in using digital media healthily,” said Streeck. But even more important are, among other things, strong media competence and “clear and binding rules for platforms”. What many social platforms consciously use has a particularly strong effect, particularly on young people whose self-regulation is still developing: “Endless feeds, automatic playback and targeted reward mechanisms extend the duration of use and make it more difficult to switch off.”
The European Parliament voted – also in November – for an EU-wide minimum age of 16 years. According to the MPs, young people aged 13 and over could use social networks under parental supervision. However, the adopted report has no binding effect.
In the EU, you currently have to be 13 years old to use social media: from this age onwards, young people can consent to the use of their data. Tiktok also stipulates that young people must be at least 13 years old to create an account.
Addiction can damage the brain
A concern many people have is what content children are exposed to on social media and how hours of use affect them. “Addiction to social media can have harmful effects on the developing brains of children and young people,” criticized the responsible Vice President of the EU Commission, Henna Virkkunen. It’s about enforcing European rules to protect citizens online.
In its preliminary investigation, the Brussels authority states that Tiktok’s design constantly “rewards” users with new content and thereby promotes the urge to continue scrolling. This puts the brain in “autopilot mode.” “Scientific research shows that this can lead to compulsive behavior and impair users’ self-control.”
Tiktok isn’t doing enough about it. For example, effective “screen time breaks” are needed and new videos should no longer be played automatically continuously, according to the study.
Tiktok: completely baseless
A Tiktok spokeswoman disagrees: “The commission’s preliminary findings categorically misrepresent our platform and are completely baseless. We will take all necessary steps to challenge these findings using all means at our disposal.”
The online giant now has the opportunity to defend itself against the allegations and could theoretically also make changes to its functions to address the EU’s concerns.
It could be expensive
If no amicable solution is found, it could be expensive for Tiktok. The EU Commission could then formally determine a violation of the so-called Digital Services Act (DSA) and impose a penalty. This could amount to up to six percent of annual group sales.
A high-ranking official said that the law only provides for the suspension of online platforms as a last resort after many other steps.
The Brussels authority is currently investigating various large online platforms. The processes are independent of each other, so that the preliminary decision on Tiktok does not have a direct impact on other apps.
Political influence?
Some critics also accuse Tiktok that the algorithm favors certain political movements such as the AfD in Germany or suppresses critical issues such as human rights in China. Tiktok is managed by the Chinese company Bytedance – except in the USA. Investors there who are said to be close to US President Trump recently took over Tiktok’s business. Otherwise the app should no longer have been active there./wea/DP/stw
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