Minnesota Sues TikTok Over Youth Addiction and Deceptive Practices

Minnesota has joined a growing number of U.S. states in filing a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of exploiting young users through algorithms designed to foster addictive behavior. The state alleges that the platform violates Minnesota law by engaging in deceptive trade practices and consumer fraud, particularly with regard to the mental health and well-being of minors. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, emphasized that the case is not about free speech, a defense he expects the company to employ, but rather about holding TikTok accountable for the harmful effects of its product on young users [1].

The lawsuit, filed in state court, claims that TikTok’s algorithms create a “cycle of content consumption” that is particularly difficult for minors to escape. Ellison pointed out that the platform knowingly exposes young users to risks, including depression, anxiety, and diminished attention spans, without taking adequate steps to mitigate these harms or inform users of the potential dangers. “This is about a company knowing the dangers, and the dangerous effects of its product, but making and taking no steps to mitigate those harms or inform users of the risks,” he said [1].

The legal action follows a broader, bipartisan investigation launched in 2022 by 14 states into the impact of TikTok on youth mental health. Minnesota conducted its own investigation before taking legal action. A middle-school health teacher from the Roseville Area school district, Sean Padden, testified at the news conference, stating that he has observed an “irrefutable spike in student mental health issues” directly linked to increased TikTok use [1].

At the same time, President Donald Trump is attempting to negotiate a deal to transfer TikTok, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, to American ownership due to data security concerns. Despite previously advocating for a TikTok ban, Trump has also amassed over 15 million followers on the platform [1].

TikTok has responded by defending its practices, stating that it has implemented over 50 safety features for teen accounts, including parental controls and time management tools. Nathaniel Brown, a company spokesperson, said in a statement: “This lawsuit is based on misleading and inaccurate claims that fail to recognize the robust safety measures TikTok has voluntarily implemented to support the well-being of our community” [1].

Minnesota’s lawsuit seeks a declaration that TikTok’s practices are deceptive, unfair, or unconscionable under state law, as well as a permanent injunction against those practices. The state is also seeking up to $25,000 in damages for each instance in which a Minnesota child accessed TikTok, though Attorney General Ellison did not specify an estimated total. He estimated that hundreds of thousands of Minnesota children have TikTok installed on their devices [1].

The Minnesota case is part of a larger trend, as over 20 states have now filed similar lawsuits against TikTok. Other major social media companies, including Meta Platforms and Snapchat, are also facing legal scrutiny for allegedly designing addictive features into their platforms. If Minnesota’s case is successful, it could set a significant precedent for future litigation and regulation of digital platforms, particularly those that impact minors [1].

The lawsuit highlights a growing public and political demand for stricter oversight of social media algorithms and their impact on youth. As the legal battle progresses, it is likely to generate broader discussions about the balance between technological innovation and the ethical responsibilities of tech companies in protecting vulnerable users [1].

Source: [1] Fortune - [https://fortune.com/2025/08/20/tiktok-minnesota-free-speech-addiction-social-media/](https://fortune.com/2025/08/20/tiktok-minnesota-free-speech-addiction-social-media/)

[2] Yahoo.com - [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/minnesota-joins-slew-states-suing-232406850.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/minnesota-joins-slew-states-suing-232406850.html)

[3] New York Post - [https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/](https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/)