More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against the popular short-form video app TikTok, alleging that the platform is designed to be addictive to children and harms their mental health. These lawsuits are the result of a national investigation launched in March 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from various states.
At the core of the lawsuits is the TikTok algorithm, which customizes content on the platform’s main “For You” feed based on users’ interests. The complaints highlight features that the states claim addict children to the platform, such as endless scrolling, push notifications with built-in “buzzes,” and face filters that promote unattainable appearances.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated that TikTok has prioritized profit over the well-being of children, leading to the lawsuits being filed. The legal challenges against TikTok are part of a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on social media companies and their impact on young individuals.
TikTok has expressed disappointment in the lawsuits, emphasizing that the company has been working with the attorneys general for two years to address concerns. The platform does not allow children under 13 to sign up and restricts some content for users under 18, but several states argue that these restrictions can be easily bypassed.
The lawsuits aim to stop TikTok from using features that are deemed harmful, impose financial penalties for alleged illegal practices, and seek damages for affected users. The platform’s future in the U.S. is also uncertain due to a federal law that could potentially ban TikTok by mid-January if its parent company, ByteDance, does not sell the platform.
In response to the legal challenges, TikTok continues to defend its platform and its efforts to protect teen users. The ongoing lawsuits highlight the growing concerns surrounding social media’s impact on young people’s mental health and well-being.
