Multiple states sue TikTok for harming kids’ mental health

More than a dozen states, including California and New York, filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday, alleging the platform harms children’s well-being through addictive features.

The 13 states and the District of Columbia claim TikTok violates consumer protection laws by designing its app to encourage compulsive use, exposing young users to mental and physical risks.

These legal actions stem from a bipartisan investigation launched in March 2022. The investigation targeted TikTok’s algorithm, which promotes endless scrolling and pushes notifications that can hook young users.

Federal authorities argue that social media features like autoplay and beauty filters and the app’s addictive algorithm foster unhealthy behaviors and promote excessive screen time.

Additionally, the lawsuits also challenge TikTok’s virtual economy, alleging it exploits users financially without proper licensing.

TikTok refutes the claims, stating it is committed to improving child safety and protecting users.

The short-form video app is already facing massive legal threats from the US government, one of which mandates a ban if the company doesn’t divest from its Chinese owner, ByteDance.