EU chief turns up heat on social media's 'addictive' design

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the Commission would specifically target 'addictive and harmful design practices'.

The European Union is working on new rules to protect children from the addictive designs of social media such as TikTok, Meta and X, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"Sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety, self-harm, addictive behaviour, cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, suicide. Risks are multiplying fast," von der Leyen said in a speech in Copenhagen.