States Sue TikTok: Allegations of Addictive Design and Harm to Youth Mental Health
A coalition of over a dozen states and the District of Columbia has sued TikTok, alleging the popular short video app is designed to be addictive and harmful to children's mental health. The lawsuits emerged from a nationwide investigation initiated in March 2022 by a bipartisan group of attorneys general from states like New York, California, Kentucky, and New Jersey, all filed in state courts.
Central to each lawsuit is TikTok's algorithm, accused of controlling the "For You" page by delivering content tailored to user interests. This design, the states argue, manipulates what users see, contributing to excessive use. The suits highlight features such as infinite scrolling, persistent notifications, and beauty filters that reportedly foster anxiety over appearance not achievable in real life.
The District of Columbia claims TikTok's algorithm induces dopamine release, intentionally designed to be addictive, luring young users into prolonged engagement despite awareness of potential harm like anxiety, depression, and body image issues. The DC Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, stated the company profits from making its platform addictive to youths.
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek responded, rejecting the accusations as inaccurate and misleading, emphasizing their commitment to adolescent safety through continuous product updates. Despite two years of cooperation with the attorneys general, he expressed regret over the legal confrontation rather than collaborative resolution.
TikTok prohibits under-13 registrations and limits content access for users under 18. However, lawsuits assert that children easily bypass these restrictions, accessing adult content, contrary to the company's safety claims.
New York Attorney General Letitia James noted, "TikTok claims youth safety, but reality speaks otherwise." She cited incidents where young people were harmed or died participating in dangerous TikTok challenges, with many feeling anxious and depressed due to addictive features.
The lawsuits also target TikTok's business model, specifically its virtual economy through in-app purchases like TikTok Coins, and its exploitation of teens by monetizing explicit content in live streams. The states seek to halt harmful practices and impose fines for alleged violations, aiming to provide compensation for affected users.
This legal action reflects growing public scrutiny over social media's impact on youth, as states employ tactics akin to past lawsuits against tobacco and pharmaceutical industries. Amid these challenges, TikTok and its parent company ByteDance face federal legal threats, with potential U.S. bans pending legal proceedings.