Features such as endless scrolling and automatic playback of new clips are addictive and particularly harmful to children and young people, the European Commission ruled in a preliminary decision on Friday. With the EU DSA regulation in its sights, TikTok is threatened with heavy fines if the social media giant does not change how the app works.
Now a long tug of war awaits between the EU and TikTok, according to Måns Jonasson at the Internet Foundation. Two conflicting interests collide: TikTok, which wants users to spend as much time as possible on the app, and the EU, which wants to reduce the harm to children and young people.
Won't bow down
It's clear that TikTok won't just bow down to the EU's demands and say, "Okay, then we'll remove all this stuff that makes us money," says Jonasson.
TikTok likely wants to make as few changes as possible to find "just where the line is" to meet the requirements - but still be competitive and make as much money as possible.
But the EU Commission's assessment of TikTok is just the beginning, Jonasson believes. More platforms will be reviewed.
Now some kind of future war is beginning over who gets to control what users see in their feeds.
Quick to switch platforms
Jonasson thinks it's good that the EU is imposing requirements on the platforms. However, he doesn't believe that these types of measures can "save our children and young people from using social media or being online too much."
They quickly switch platforms if they feel there is something better. It can take a week for everyone in the class to switch apps.
Jonasson believes a solution is closer.
I generally think, just like with everything else children and young people do, that if children do something you notice makes them feel bad, parents have a responsibility to limit it.
