Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000563/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liesbet Sommen (PPE)
Over the past decade, children’s screen time has doubled. Children aged 0 to 6 spend an average of 99 minutes behind a screen every single day. Series such as CoComelon and PAW Patrol are addictive and have a negative impact on toddlers’ linguistic and social development. The videos are designed with bright colours, sounds and rapidly changing images, and are tested by placing children in front of two screens: one with the series and one with regular images. As the children look away, the videos are adjusted to make them more addictive.
These stimuli can lead to overstimulation and the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. Dopamine triggers the reward system, which can in turn lead to addiction. Children become accustomed to constant rewards. This can also affect brain development. Research shows that more screen time at age 1 is associated with delays in communication and problem-solving skills.
- 1.Is the European Commission aware of these issues?
- 2.Does the Digital Services Act (DSA) allow the design of programmes that exploit minors’ weaknesses or lead to addictive behaviour and will the Commission investigate this?
- 3.Can research be carried out on this issue as part of the health or culture clusters under Horizon Europe?
Submitted: 7.2.2025