
Over a dozen U.S. states have launched lawsuits against TikTok, citing addiction and youth mental health concerns.
At a Glance
- States and D.C. accuse TikTok of fostering addiction and harming youth mental health.
- The legal effort parallels past actions against industries affecting young people’s well-being.
- Lawsuits target TikTok’s design features, algorithms, and virtual economy.
- TikTok refutes allegations, highlighting safety features for minors.
Lawsuits Against TikTok
More than a dozen states, along with the District of Columbia, have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that the platform harms youth mental health by intentionally being addictive. This collective effort is an extension of a national inquiry that began in March 2022, led by a bipartisan alliance of state attorneys general. The lawsuits criticize TikTok’s design elements like endless scrolling and push notifications, claiming they are purposefully addictive.
TikTok’s use of algorithms that tailor content to user preferences is under scrutiny for contributing to adverse mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. Although TikTok has implemented age restrictions, critics argue these are easily bypassed, thus failing to protect young users adequately. The District of Columbia has described these algorithmic tactics as “dopamine-inducing” and deliberately addictive.
States sue TikTok, claiming its platform is addictive and harms the mental health of children https://t.co/e7ZbTUptvL
— News 19 (@whnt) October 8, 2024
Impact of Virtual Economy
The lawsuits extend to TikTok’s virtual economy, which utilizes TikTok Coins and other financial transactions. Critics describe this system as an “unlicensed virtual economy,” potentially operating without appropriate oversight. Concerns also include the exploitation of teens through live streaming features, which some compare to a “virtual strip club,” with allegations of hosting sexually explicit content.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has indicated that TikTok knowingly chose profit over the well-being of its young users. “TikTok ‘knew the harms to children’,” he stated, adding weight to the lawsuits’ claims. Numerous states assert that despite TikTok’s alleged efforts, like restricting content for minors and setting default screen time limits, the app remains widely accessible and its restrictions are ineffective.
TikTok’s Response
TikTok has publicly denied the claims, arguing that many of the accusations are baseless and misguided. They emphasize ongoing safety measures like family pairing and the proactivity in removing suspected underage users. Nonetheless, the company is facing not only these state-level suits but also a federal lawsuit concerning data privacy, reflecting broader apprehensions about national security and user safety.
“We’re proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we’ve done to protect teens, and we will continue to update and improve our product,” Alex Haurek, a spokesman for the company, said.
Ultimately, as this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the growing concerns regarding technology’s impact on younger generations’ mental health and safety. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications not only for TikTok but for the broader tech industry and how it designs its social media platforms for the youngest users.
Sources:
- States sue TikTok, claiming its platform harms the mental health of children
- TikTok Faces Barrage of Lawsuits Around Teens and Mental Health