A group of 14 U.S. states has sued TikTok, accusing the social media giant of contributing to a mental health crisis among teenagers. The lawsuit, led by attorneys general from both parties, alleges that TikTok uses addictive features designed to captivate children and teenagers, while misleading the public about the safety of prolonged use. The platform, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has denied the claims, calling them “inaccurate and misleading.”
Filed in New York, the lawsuit points to features such as constant notifications, disappearing videos that encourage frequent checking, and beauty filters that impact users’ self-esteem. New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized the dangers of viral TikTok challenges, referencing a tragic case where a 15-year-old boy died while “subway surfing,” an activity he learned about on TikTok.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent TikTok from continuing these practices and demands financial penalties. TikTok has already faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers, with legislation passed earlier this year threatening a ban unless ByteDance sells the platform. Additionally, the company is under investigation for child privacy violations by the Federal Trade Commission.
TikTok insists that it remains committed to teen safety and has introduced tools to help users manage screen time, though the lawsuit contends these efforts are insufficient. This legal action mirrors lawsuits filed against other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, over their influence on youth mental health.
Advocates like Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, hope the legal action will prompt greater parental awareness and pressure companies to revise their practices. However, he also suggests that stronger laws are needed to hold tech companies accountable.
