Meta is facing fresh regulatory pressure in Europe. The European Union says Facebook and Instagram use design features that encourage compulsive scrolling and could harm users, especially teenagers, putting the tech giant at risk of another massive fine.
The European Commission has accused Meta of breaching the Digital Services Act (DSA) by using what it describes as “addictive” design features on Facebook and Instagram.
EU regulators say features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, personalised recommendations, Reels and Stories encourage excessive use and pose risks to users’ mental and physical well-being. They say children and teenagers face the greatest risk. The Commission believes Meta’s current safeguards do not go far enough.
According to regulators, the company’s screen-time tools and parental controls are too difficult to use and fail to reduce harmful behaviour effectively. The EU wants Meta to disable autoplay and infinite scrolling by default, introduce stronger screen-break reminders and make its recommendation systems less dependent on engagement. Meta disagrees with the findings.
The company says it has introduced several protections, including automatic safety features for Teen Accounts, and argues that it has invested heavily in tools designed to protect younger users. The case could become costly.
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If the EU confirms its preliminary findings, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue unless it makes changes that satisfy regulators. The investigation began in 2024 under the Digital Services Act, one of the EU’s toughest digital regulations.
Officials say the law requires major online platforms to identify and reduce risks that could harm users, including risks linked to platform design. The decision also reflects a wider shift in technology regulation.
Governments are increasingly examining not only what users see online but also how platforms are designed to keep people engaged. The battle over social media is entering a new phase. For years, regulators focused on harmful content.
Now they are questioning whether the design of the platforms themselves encourages unhealthy behaviour. How Meta responds could influence how social media platforms are built for years to come.
About the Author
Marcel Chidozie is a tech analyst and writer covering foreign news, fintech, and emerging technologies at TechRegard. Based in Nigeria, He's passionate about translating complex tech developments into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences. His work focuses on how technology shapes innovation across Africa and globally.
