In this instalment of our Learn with Lucid series, the team are thinking about another current news story. Read on to find out about why the EU is threatening to fine TikTok, and how your brain might be affected!
The Story in Brief
The EU are threatening to fine TikTok up to 6% of its annual global turnover if it refuses to change the “addictive” nature of its design, claiming that children are disproportionately affected by the “infinite scroll” feature. In the simplest terms, the platform may be required to implement screentime breaks or disabled infinite scrolling, which allows users to access constant short videos without a break.
Technology Addiction: The Facts
According to research by SQ Magazine, 31% of teenagers experience sleep disruption due to late night device usage, and up to 18% of global internet users met the criteria for internet addiction (as defined by the ICD-111 in 2025). 42% of adults globally also reported that they felt anxious when separated from their smartphone.
The statistics are clear — in an ever-more interconnected world, being cut off from that instant communication and feedback can cause anxiety, potentially leading to even more serious mental health issues.
So… What Can We Do?
For most of us, screentime is a fact of life — whether you work on a computer, use a smartphone, or play videogames in your free time, daily device usage is commonplace. The Lucid Technology Solutions team have put together our three top tips to help you avoid “doomscrolling” (we’ve all been there), and to make sure that your eyes and brain are getting proper breaks.
- Set screentime limits. This can be easily done using the settings on a smartphone. You can also implement this at work by looking away from your screen every 20 minutes for at least a minute, giving your eyes and your brain time to relax.
- Choose your screen settings wisely. Many devices will allow you to lower the blue light that your screen is omitting, wavelengths which can disrupt your sleep pattern if you have too much exposure to them. You can also choose Dark Mode settings if you prefer, which can be less harsh on your eyes.
- Ask an expert. At Lucid Technology Solutions, we have been working in the technology sector for over 30 years, and we are always happy to advise our clients on getting the most out of their products. This can also include healthy tech habits, of course!
For more information about working with Lucid Technology Solutions, you can contact our team here.