EU Commission demands end to endless scrolling on Instagram

The European Commission has initiated proceedings against Meta, alleging that its platforms, Facebook and Instagram, employ addictive design features that exploit users, particularly vulnerable young people. This investigation, conducted under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), targets elements such as personalized algorithms, auto-playing videos, and the continuous stream of new content, commonly known as endless scrolling.

These practices, the Commission argues, can foster unhealthy usage patterns. While a formal diagnosis for "social media addiction" does not yet exist, studies indicate concerning trends. A survey by the DAK health insurance found that 21.5 percent of German 10- to 17-year-olds exhibit risky social media usage. In the United States, Meta faces numerous lawsuits over similar issues, and other countries are considering bans on social media for minors. The EU is proposing significant changes to mitigate these risks, including disabling features like autoplay and endless scrolling by default, implementing effective screen time breaks, and adjusting recommendation systems to reduce their focus on maximizing user engagement time.

Meta has refuted the Commission's findings. A company spokesperson stated, "Since the beginning of this investigation, we have introduced teen accounts that automatically protect young people and give parents control." These features allow parents to block their children's Instagram access at night and limit daily screen time to just 15 minutes. Meta maintains it is prepared to cooperate constructively with the Commission. The company now has an opportunity to present its case before the Commission decides on potential sanctions, which could amount to up to six percent of Meta's global annual revenue.

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Since the beginning of this investigation, we have introduced teen accounts that automatically protect young people and give parents control.