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Over a dozen U.S. states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against TikTok, arguing that the popular app is designed to addict children and endangers their mental health. The lawsuits, filed on Tuesday, follow a national investigation launched in 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general.
At the core of the legal complaints is TikTok’s algorithm, which curates personalized content on the app’s “For You” feed. The lawsuits claim that TikTok’s design encourages compulsive use by young users through features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and beauty-enhancing filters. These design elements, the lawsuits argue, harm children by increasing screen time, promoting unrealistic beauty standards, and contributing to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The legal actions are part of a growing wave of scrutiny toward social media platforms, which critics claim are contributing to a youth mental health crisis. In 2023, several states also sued Meta, the parent company of Instagram, for allegedly creating similar addictive experiences for young users. The focus of these lawsuits is the platforms’ deliberate design choices, which, attorneys argue, prioritize profits over the well-being of children.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, speaking at a news conference in San Francisco, accused TikTok of knowingly harming young users. “They’ve chosen profit over the health and safety of our children,” Bonta said. The lawsuits seek to halt the platform’s alleged harmful practices, impose penalties, and secure damages for affected users.
Broader Implications for TikTok
The lawsuits arrive at a challenging time for TikTok, as the platform faces heightened scrutiny in the U.S. beyond concerns over youth safety. A federal law passed earlier this year could ban TikTok in the U.S. by January 2024 if its parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell the platform. TikTok and ByteDance are fighting the law in court, but the platform’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
In addition to mental health concerns, some of the lawsuits accuse TikTok of operating an unregulated financial system within its platform. The District of Columbia’s lawsuit claims that TikTok Coins, a virtual currency users can purchase to support creators, are part of an unlicensed “virtual economy” that violates federal financial regulations. The complaint alleges TikTok profits from these transactions, taking a 50% cut while exploiting minors.
Despite the mounting legal pressure, TikTok maintains it has worked to protect young users. A company spokesperson, Alex Haurek, expressed disappointment over the lawsuits, stating, “We strongly disagree with these claims, many of which are misleading.” Haurek emphasized that TikTok has been cooperating with attorneys general for years and will continue to enhance its safety measures.
Youth Mental Health and Social Media
The surge in lawsuits against TikTok and other social media platforms reflects growing concerns over the mental health of young users. According to a Pew Research Center study, nearly all U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 use social media, with many reporting that they are “almost constantly” online. A 2022 CDC survey found that teenagers who frequently use social media are more likely to experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
State officials, including those from California, New York, and Kentucky, argue that TikTok’s addictive features contribute to these negative psychological outcomes. The lawsuits allege that TikTok’s design choices are not just harmful but intentional, aimed at keeping children engaged for extended periods.
The ongoing legal battle is part of a broader reckoning for the tech industry, as governments and advocacy groups push for greater accountability from social media companies. Critics argue that these platforms must take more responsibility for the role they play in shaping young people’s mental health, while tech companies assert that they are continuously improving their safety policies.
