13 states sue TikTok, alleging platform harms children’s mental health

In a significant development that has sparked widespread concern, 13 states and the District of Columbia have collectively filed lawsuits against TikTok. The lawsuits, initiated by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, accuse the popular short-form video app of designing its platform to be addictive to children, thus harming their mental health.

The Alarming Rise of Mental Health Issues

The legal actions stem from a nationwide inquiry into TikTok, which began in March 2022. This investigation has uncovered alarming trends regarding the app's impact on young users. The lawsuits emphasize that TikTok's algorithm, which curates content tailored to individual preferences, is ‘dopamine-inducing’ and deliberately engineered to keep users engaged. This design, however, comes at a steep cost for children.

The Dangers of Addiction

The attorneys general argue that TikTok's addictive features, such as endless scrolling, push notifications accompanied by enticing ‘buzzes,’ and face filters that promote unrealistic beauty standards, contribute significantly to mental health issues among children. These features can lead to prolonged engagement with the app, thereby increasing the risk of psychological and physiological harms like depression, body dysmorphia, and anxiety.

The Dark Side of Challenges

One of the most concerning aspects of TikTok's impact is the promotion of ‘challenges’ that encourage users to create and post videos showcasing dangerous behaviors. These challenges have resulted in serious injuries and even fatalities. For instance, a 15-year-old boy died while subway surfing, a trend where individuals ride on top of moving subway cars. His mother found TikTok videos about subway surfing in his account after his death.

The Unregulated Virtual Economy

The lawsuits also address other aspects of TikTok's operations. The District of Columbia alleges that the app is functioning as an ‘unlicensed virtual economy’ by permitting users to buy and sell virtual currencies and gifts. This aspect is particularly problematic as it allows teenagers to be frequently exploited for sexually explicit content through the app's LIVE streaming feature. The company’s share of these financial transactions enables it to profit from exploitation, essentially operating as a ‘virtual strip club’ without age restrictions.

Misleading Safety Claims

TikTok has been accused of misleadingly presenting its service as safe for minors. While the company prohibits children under 13 from registering for its main service and restricts some content for users under 18, it fails to effectively enforce these guidelines. As a result, young users can easily bypass these restrictions, granting them access to adult features of the platform.

The Legal Actions

Each lawsuit has been filed separately by the attorneys general representing the following states and the District of Columbia:

• California
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• South Carolina
• Vermont
• Washington

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb stated, "Young individuals are facing serious mental health challenges due to addictive social media platforms such as TikTok. TikTok purports that its platform is secure for young users, but that assertion is far from the truth." He emphasized that the company's design features are aimed at keeping users engaged, which ultimately leads to negative mental health outcomes for children.

The Company’s Response

TikTok has responded to the allegations, stating that they "strongly disagree with these claims, many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading." The company asserted its commitment to protecting teenagers and highlighted its existing safety measures, including actively removing suspected underage users and implementing features like default screen time limits, family pairing, and privacy settings for users under 16.

However, the attorneys general remain unconvinced, pointing out that despite these measures, the app's design remains inherently addictive. They argue that TikTok’s failure to effectively regulate its platform and protect young users from exploitation is a major concern that warrants legal action.

The Broader Impact

This legal challenge marks the latest in a series of civil actions taken by state attorneys general against social media companies for their alleged negative impacts on children. The scrutiny on major social media platforms has intensified in recent years, with many states coordinating their efforts in a manner reminiscent of past state actions against the tobacco and pharmaceutical sectors.

National Security Concerns

TikTok is also facing additional challenges related to national security. A federal law enacted earlier this year could lead to a ban on the platform if ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, does not divest from the app by a specified deadline. This legislation has raised concerns about the potential for data collected by TikTok to be weaponized by adversaries if conflict arises between the United States and China.

Call for Action

The lawsuits filed against TikTok serve as a call for action, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures against potential mental health risks posed to young users. Health experts such as Dr. Vivek Murthy have cautioned that social media usage significantly contributes to issues like depression and anxiety in teenagers across the nation.

In conclusion, the lawsuits against TikTok underscore the complex interplay between technology and human well-being. As society grapples with the implications of social media on mental health, it is crucial for companies like TikTok to prioritize the safety and welfare of their users. The legal actions taken by state attorneys general aim to ensure that these priorities are met and that young people are protected from the harmful effects of addictive social media platforms.

References:

• CNBC: States sue TikTok over app's effects on kids' mental health
• AP News: States sue TikTok for harming children's mental, physical health
• CBS News: TikTok sued by attorneys general alleging its app is harming children's mental health
• ABC News: States sue TikTok, claiming platform is addictive, harms mental health of children
• NBC News: Fourteen AGs sue TikTok, accusing it of harming children's mental health