The European Union has issued a preliminary warning to Meta, ordering the tech giant to overhaul the addictive design features of Facebook and Instagram as part of its ongoing enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The European Commission formally accused the company of failing to adequately protect children and vulnerable adults from platform features designed to maximize screen time and user engagement. Regulators argue that several core design elements encourage compulsive use and may negatively affect users’ mental well-being.
Among the changes sought by the EU is the removal of addictive default settings such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, requiring users to make conscious decisions before continuing to browse content. The Commission also wants Meta to introduce stronger time management tools, including mandatory screen-time reminders and breaks that cannot be easily dismissed.
In addition, regulators have called for changes to Meta’s recommendation algorithms so that content feeds are less focused on maximizing engagement and reducing so-called “rabbit-hole” browsing. The EU also wants the company to simplify its parental control features, arguing that existing tools are too complex for many parents to use effectively.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said protecting the physical and mental health of citizens, particularly young people, must be a priority for online platforms operating in the EU.
If the Commission’s preliminary findings are confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual revenue under the Digital Services Act. However, EU officials indicated that their primary objective is to secure meaningful design changes rather than impose financial penalties alone.
Meta said it disagrees with the Commission’s initial assessment but will continue cooperating with European regulators. The company noted that it has already introduced Teen Accounts, which allow parents to limit screen time, restrict overnight access, and monitor children’s activity.
The latest action comes as European policymakers consider additional measures to improve online safety for minors, with some member states advocating stricter social media restrictions for children and teenagers.
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