Attention is the currency of our time. Over the last two decades, large digital platforms have increasingly filled free moments, shaping how people spend time online. Their aim is to keep screens in view longer and gather data about behavior to fuel targeted advertising. The mechanics behind this are built on addictive features like personalized feeds, endless scrolling, and push alerts that pull users back again and again. As one of the sharpest minds in tech once observed while discussing the incentive to maximize ad clicks, the environment created by these platforms can feel like a relentless chase for engagement.
In response, the European Union is seeking to curb triggers that exploit vulnerabilities to capture attention and monetize data. This week, the European Parliament issued a warning about the addictive nature of networks, streaming services, online games, and online marketplaces, urging new rules to shield users, especially children, from potential harm.
Lawmakers have asked the European Commission to propose legislation that strengthens consumer privacy protections, with a particular focus on minors. A key recommendation is to ban or restrict certain design patterns deemed harmful, such as infinite content scrolling, persistent real-time notifications, and autoplay features for videos or games. The proposal was supported by a large majority during the vote.
“Today, self-discipline alone cannot outpace the tricks of major tech firms, driven by teams of designers and psychologists who aim to keep eyes glued to screens,” said the report’s rapporteur, a Green party member from the Netherlands. “If action is delayed, the mental health and brain development of future generations could be at stake.”
Ethical design requirements
The European Parliament has criticized the opacity of major platforms, noting that lack of transparency makes it difficult to enforce rules in interfaces designed to capture attention. The aim is for these services to operate with ethical defaults and to reduce manipulative patterns that push users toward decisions that may compromise their personal data and wellbeing.
Parliamentarians expressed concern about the negative impact of social networks and digital services on the mental health and physical well-being of users, particularly teenagers. While scholars continue to debate and study the social effects of the Internet, lawmakers have proposed practical steps and best practices, including turning off notifications, enabling automatic screen locking, favoring time-based recommendations over aggressive algorithmic suggestions, and exploring simpler display modes that reduce consumption in everyday use.
The report urges the Commission to consider granting individuals a right not to be disturbed in the digital environment. The EU’s executive arm is evaluating updates to consumer protection laws to provide explicit protections in online spaces, with potential action in 2024. If new legislation is not adopted, the European Parliament can pursue its own legislative initiative to address these concerns.
Social debate
The move arrives amid a broader public discussion in Spain about limiting mobile phone use in schools. Across the country, families are organizing to support measures that restrict minors’ access to handheld devices during school hours, driven by concerns that screen time may affect children’s health and learning outcomes.