The European Commission has found that TikTok has not sufficiently limited addictive features such as infinite scroll, which encourages compulsive behaviour, according to preliminary findings released on Friday.

The regulator said the popular video-sharing app relies on features that continuously feed users new content, putting their brains on “autopilot” and prompting repeated scrolling. The Commission concluded that these design elements breach Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and fail to adequately protect users, particularly children and teenagers.

Henna Virkkunen, European Commission executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, stressed the risks of social media addiction. “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens,” she said. “The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their users. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online.”

The Commission highlighted that TikTok’s Daily Screen Time feature, which automatically sets a one-hour limit for users aged 13 to 17, is ineffective because warnings are “easy to dismiss.” Regulators also raised concerns over parental controls, including the Family Pairing tool, which allows parents to manage screen time, monitor activity, and restrict content. The Commission said these tools are not successful because they demand additional effort and skills from parents.

To comply with the DSA, TikTok will need to “change the basic design of its service,” the Commission said. Proposed measures include disabling infinite scroll, implementing more effective screen time breaks, and modifying video recommendations to reduce compulsive use.

TikTok responded to the preliminary findings in a statement to Euronews Next, calling them “categorically false and entirely meritless.” The company said it plans to challenge the findings through all available channels and noted that it offers a variety of tools to help users manage screen time, including sleep hours and well-being missions that reward users for following limits.

The investigation, launched in 2024, examines whether TikTok meets the requirements of the DSA, which obliges online platforms to manage risks, moderate content, and promote transparency. The Commission reviewed TikTok’s internal risk assessments, company data, and research on behavioural addiction.

This probe follows previous DSA inquiries, including one last October that found TikTok and Meta had made it difficult for researchers to access public data. Another investigation into TikTok’s advertising practices has already concluded.

The current findings are preliminary, and no fines or penalties have been imposed. TikTok has the right to respond in writing and propose solutions. The Commission will also consult the European Board for Digital Services before potentially issuing a non-compliance decision, which could carry fines of up to six percent of the company’s global annual turnover.

In the DSA investigation, TikTok has committed to posting the full content of all ads on its platform to an online repository updated every 24 hours, as part of efforts to improve transparency and user protection.

Women working in finance and technology sectors could face a higher risk of job losses due to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation than their male colleagues, according to a new report by the City of London Corporation. The study highlights concerns that AI-driven changes may disproportionately affect women in administrative and mid-level roles.

The report estimates that around 119,000 administrative positions in the UK’s financial, professional services, and tech sectors—jobs largely held by women—could be eliminated over the next decade as automation becomes more widespread. Women in high-income countries appear particularly vulnerable. A May 2025 report by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK) found that nearly 10 percent of female-dominated roles in these countries could be replaced by automation, compared with just 3.5 percent of male-dominated positions.

The City of London Corporation also noted that mid-career women, defined as those with at least five years of experience, are increasingly overlooked for digital roles in tech and finance. Automated hiring software often fails to account for career gaps due to childcare or other caring responsibilities, creating barriers for women seeking advancement in these industries.

The lack of career progression and recognition has led to high attrition rates. The report estimates that up to 60,000 women leave tech jobs annually in the UK due to limited opportunities and unequal pay. This trend persists despite a persistent shortage of skilled workers in Europe, where between 500,000 and 800,000 tech roles remain unfilled each year, according to salary benchmarking website TalentUp.io. Analysts expect this talent gap to continue until at least 2035.

The report highlights the growing need for reskilling initiatives to help women adapt to automation-driven shifts. Employers are urged to prioritise retraining female employees in clerical and administrative positions most at risk, ensuring they can transition into higher-value digital roles. In the UK, reskilling could save companies up to £757 million (€876.9 million) in redundancy payments, the report suggests.

Workers across Europe are already expressing concern about AI’s impact on employment. Research from agency Verian indicates that between 42 and 66 percent of employees worry AI could negatively affect their jobs.

The City of London Corporation stresses that proactive measures are required to prevent automation from widening gender disparities in the workforce. Without targeted reskilling and inclusive hiring practices, the report warns, women in tech and finance may face long-term setbacks, while businesses risk losing valuable talent in sectors experiencing acute labour shortages.

By linking automation risk with gender inequity, the report calls attention to the need for policy and corporate strategies that protect and develop female talent as AI reshapes the workforce.

Spain will ban social media platforms for children under the age of 16, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday at the World Government Summit in Dubai. Platforms will also be required to implement strict age verification systems to ensure compliance.

“Social media has become a failed state, where laws are ignored, and crimes are tolerated,” Sanchez said. “We will protect them from the digital Wild West.”

The Spanish government plans to introduce a new bill next week that will hold social media executives accountable for illegal and hateful content on their platforms. The legislation reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety.

Spain’s announcement follows Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16, which came into effect in December 2025. According to Australia’s internet regulator, companies have removed roughly 4.7 million accounts held by under-16 users to comply with the new law. Despite this, reports indicate that some children have found ways to bypass restrictions, including using facial distortion techniques to trick age verification systems.

Several other European countries are considering similar measures. The United Kingdom, Denmark, and France have all discussed potential regulations to restrict social media use among minors. Last month, French lawmakers approved a bill that would ban children under 15 from accessing social media platforms. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Because our children’s brains are not for sale — neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.” Macron has requested that the legislation be fast-tracked, with debate in the Senate scheduled in the coming weeks.

Experts say these measures mark a growing trend in global regulation of social media, driven by concerns over privacy, mental health, and online safety. Sanchez’s comments emphasized the need for accountability among platform operators, noting that legislation will target executives who fail to address harmful content.

Digital safety advocates welcomed Spain’s announcement. “Protecting children online requires both strong regulations and enforcement,” said Maria Lopez, director of a Madrid-based children’s rights organisation. “Age verification is a critical step to ensure platforms cannot ignore their responsibilities.”

The Spanish government has not yet detailed the technical requirements for age verification, but analysts expect platforms will need to implement robust identity checks to continue operating legally in the country. Observers note that the success of such measures will depend on enforcement mechanisms and collaboration between governments and tech companies.

Spain joins a growing number of countries seeking to regulate social media use for minors. With similar initiatives underway across Europe and in Australia, lawmakers appear determined to set global standards aimed at protecting children from harmful content and giving parents more control over their online experiences.