EU lawmakers push Meta to shield children from addictive design features

The European Union's legislative body has intensified calls on Meta to redesign features that critics argue are deliberately crafted to encourage excessive user engagement, particularly among children. The 27-member bloc has signalled its intent to compel the social media giant to alter what regulators characterise as inherently addictive design elements embedded across its platforms.

This regulatory push reflects growing concerns across Europe about the impact of social media on young people's wellbeing and screen time habits. EU lawmakers have cited the need for stronger protections under existing digital regulations, underscoring the bloc's commitment to stricter oversight of technology companies operating within its jurisdiction.

Meta's experience in the United States provides a precedent for such changes. The company has already agreed to modify certain features in several US states following legal action and regulatory pressure, suggesting that platform redesigns are technically feasible. These modifications have included adjustments to notification systems and content recommendation algorithms.

The EU's stance aligns with broader regulatory trends across multiple jurisdictions seeking to balance innovation with child protection. Regulators argue that technology companies have a responsibility to design platforms with safety considerations rather than pure engagement metrics. Meta has not yet publicly responded to the latest EU demands, though the company has previously stated its commitment to user safety initiatives.