TikTok Sued by 13 States and D.C. Over Alleged Harm to Young Users

TikTok, the wildly popular social media platform known for its short-form videos, is facing a new wave of legal challenges. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have independently filed lawsuits against the company, alleging it is failing to protect young people and may be contributing to harm, Reuters reports.

These lawsuits, filed in various states including New York, California, and Washington, claim that TikTok's software is intentionally designed to be addictive, making it difficult for children to moderate their usage. They also accuse the company of being misleading about how effectively it moderates content, potentially exposing young users to inappropriate or harmful material.

"TikTok is built to hook young people," says California Attorney General Rob Bonta, suggesting the company knowingly exploits children's vulnerability to addictive content.

New York Attorney General Letitia James echoes this concern, stating that "young people are facing mental health challenges because of addictive social media platforms like TikTok."

TikTok Responds to Lawsuits, Defends Safety Features

TikTok has responded to the lawsuits, stating that it "strongly disagrees" with the claims and that it is "disappointed" that the states chose to sue rather than collaborate on solutions. The company points to its safety features, such as screen time limits and privacy settings for minors, as evidence of its commitment to protecting young users.

However, the lawsuits raise serious questions about the impact of social media on young people's mental health and well-being. Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb went so far as to call TikTok's platform "dangerous by design," likening its live streaming and virtual currency features to a "virtual strip club with no age restrictions."

This legal action comes as concerns about social media addiction are increasing. Research shows that teenagers are particularly vulnerable to social media addiction due to their developing brains. Social media algorithms are often designed to exploit these vulnerabilities, creating a cycle of reward and dependence that can be difficult to break.

Reportedly, over 90% of U.S. teens use social media, spending an average of three hours a day on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Experts have noted that social media algorithms are often designed to exploit the developing brains of adolescents, creating a cycle of reward and dependence that can be difficult to break.

TikTok's History of Legal and Regulatory Challenges

These lawsuits against TikTok are not the first time the company has faced legal and regulatory challenges. In September 2024, the U.S. government sued TikTok for allegedly violating child privacy laws by knowingly allowing children under 13 to create accounts without parental consent and collecting their personal data. This follows a 2019 case where TikTok's predecessor, Musical.ly, was fined $5.7 million for similar violations.

Another lawsuit filed by the U.S. government in August 2024 accuses TikTok of failing to comply with requests from parents to delete their children's accounts and information.

Are you concerned about the impact of TikTok on young users? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.