Fourteen attorneys general have filed lawsuits against TikTok, claiming that the social media platform is misleading the public about its safety, particularly in regards to children’s mental health. The lawsuits allege that TikTok’s viral “challenges” are causing harm to kids, with some being injured or even dying as a result. They also claim that the app uses “addictive features” such as notifications and video autoplay that can negatively impact users’ mental health. TikTok has responded to the lawsuits by stating that they disagree with the claims and have implemented various safety features to protect teens.
In addition to the mental health concerns, TikTok is also facing challenges related to privacy issues and potential bans in the United States. President Joe Biden signed a law earlier this year that would require TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, to divest the business or face a ban. The social media service has argued that the law is unconstitutional and should be overturned. TikTok is also facing charges from various states and children’s advocates regarding their privacy practices and their impact on kids and young adults.
The lawsuits from the attorneys general specifically cite TikTok’s popular “challenges” as being harmful to children, encouraging dangerous behaviors that have resulted in injuries and even fatalities. These challenges are campaigns that prompt users to create and post specific types of videos on the platform. The attorneys general argue that challenge videos are a major part of TikTok’s appeal and contribute to the platform’s engagement-maximizing design. One tragic example mentioned in the lawsuit is the death of a 15-year-old boy in Manhattan who died while subway surfing, with his mother later finding TikTok videos about subway surfing on his account.
The attorneys general who are suing TikTok represent several states and the District of Columbia, with each filing a lawsuit in their own jurisdiction. The states involved in the lawsuits include California, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington. The lawsuits highlight the concerns of state officials and legal authorities about the impact of TikTok’s platform on children and teens, particularly in terms of mental health and safety issues.
TikTok has stated that they remain committed to improving safety features on their platform and have worked with the attorneys general for over two years to address concerns. However, the lawsuits represent a significant challenge for the company as they navigate legal battles, potential bans, and ongoing concerns about privacy and safety. The outcome of these legal actions could have far-reaching implications for TikTok and other social media platforms as they grapple with regulatory scrutiny and growing awareness of the potential risks associated with their services.
