More than a dozen states in the US have taken legal action against popular social media platform TikTok, alleging that it is contributing to a mental health crisis among teenagers. A bipartisan group of 14 attorneys general have filed a lawsuit accusing TikTok of using addictive features to hook children to the app and misleading the public about the safety of prolonged use.
The lawsuit, filed in New York, claims that TikTok is aware of the harmful effects its platform has on the mental health of millions of American children and teenagers, yet continues to misrepresent itself as safe and appropriate for young users. New York Attorney General Letitia James highlighted instances where young people have died or been injured while participating in dangerous challenges inspired by TikTok content.
The lawsuit specifically points out features such as alerts that disrupt sleep, disappearing videos that drive users to constantly check the app, and beauty filters that can negatively impact self-esteem. Despite TikTok’s efforts to promote tools for limiting screen time, the lawsuit alleges that the company has misrepresented their effectiveness.
This legal action adds to the growing scrutiny faced by TikTok, with regulators also targeting other social media giants like Facebook and Instagram for their impact on young people’s mental health. The lawsuit seeks to bar TikTok from engaging in such conduct and imposes financial penalties.
With over half of US teenagers estimated to use TikTok multiple times a day, the platform’s legal troubles continue to mount. Previous lawsuits from states like Texas and Utah have focused on child safety concerns, and the Federal Trade Commission has accused TikTok of violating child privacy laws. TikTok has responded to the lawsuit, calling the claims inaccurate and misleading, and reaffirming its commitment to protecting teens and improving its product.
