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14 States and DC Sue TikTok Over Addictive Features Harming Children's Mental Health

Oct 8, 2024, 03:00 PM

A bipartisan group of 14 attorneys general from more than a dozen U.S. states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the popular social media platform of harming young people's mental health by designing an addictive app. The lawsuits allege that TikTok's features are intentionally designed to keep children and teenagers engaged for extended periods, fostering social media addiction and leading to issues such as anxiety, sleep loss, and body image concerns. The attorneys general claim that TikTok misrepresents its commitment to user safety, collects data without consent, and downplays the harmful effects on mental health and development. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb described the app as 'digital nicotine' for its addictive qualities. States participating in the lawsuit include New York, New Jersey, California, and others.