TikTok knew depth of app’s risks to children, court document alleges

Lawsuit Reveals Internal Communications Showing Company’s Indifference to Child Safety

In a shocking revelation, a recent court document has alleged that TikTok, the popular social media platform, was aware of the significant risks its app poses to children, yet took minimal action to address these concerns. The internal communications of TikTok employees, revealed in a version of a state lawsuit, have shed light on the company's indifference to the potential dangers of its addictive and manipulative platform.

The Lawsuit: A Detailed Look

The lawsuit, filed by more than a dozen state attorneys general, accuses TikTok of designing its app with the express intention of addicting young people. The states argue that the multi-billion-dollar company deceived the public about the risks associated with excessive use of the app, particularly among teenagers.

Redacted Documents Revealed

In a remarkable turn of events, internal communications that were initially redacted due to confidentiality agreements with TikTok were inadvertently made public. This disclosure was facilitated by a mistake in the redactions within a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Attorney General's Office. Approximately 30 pages of previously concealed documents were uncovered by Kentucky Public Radio, revealing candid discussions among TikTok executives about the dangers of their app for children.

Concerns Over Addiction

The internal documents reveal that TikTok was aware of its app's potential to create addictive habits in young users. According to the unredacted portions of the lawsuit, TikTok's algorithm is designed to keep users engaged for extended periods, often leading to negative effects such as decreased analytical thinking, memory problems, and increased anxiety. The company's own research indicated that users can become “addicted” in as little as 35 minutes, with the platform's highly tailored algorithm making it difficult to exit the app.

Minimal Reduction in Screen Time

TikTok implemented time-management tools aimed at reducing screen time among young users. However, internal assessments showed that these tools had a negligible effect. The default time limit imposed by the app was 60 minutes, but even this did not significantly reduce usage. One project manager acknowledged that the goal was not to decrease usage time but to increase daily active users.

Algorithmic Manipulation

The unredacted documents also exposed a troubling aspect of TikTok's algorithm: it prioritizes users perceived as attractive. Investigators found that the app adjusted its algorithm to minimize the visibility of users deemed unattractive, thereby promoting a narrow standard of beauty that could negatively affect young users. This manipulation can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among teenagers who do not conform to these beauty standards.

Public Commitment vs. Internal Awareness

Despite publicly asserting its commitment to the safety and well-being of teenagers, internal documents painted a starkly different picture. Top executives were aware of the app's harmful effects yet failed to take substantial action to mitigate them. One unnamed executive acknowledged the algorithm's power but cautioned about the consequences for other opportunities, including sleep and social interaction.

Scrutiny and Potential Consequences

The new lawsuits from state officials have cast intense scrutiny on TikTok's ability to counter content that harms minors. Under a new law, TikTok must divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 2025 or face a nationwide ban. The company is actively contesting this impending restriction, indicating the severity of the situation.

Response from TikTok

In response to the allegations, TikTok spokesman Alex Haurek defended the company's child safety record and criticized the release of information that is now sealed. He remarked, "It is highly irresponsible of NPR to publish information that is under a court seal. Unfortunately, this complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety." Haurek further stated that TikTok has robust safeguards in place, including proactive measures to remove suspected underage users and voluntary safety features such as default screen time limits, family pairing, and privacy by default for minors under 16.

Conclusion

The revelation that TikTok knew the depth of its app's risks to children highlights a critical issue in the modern digital landscape. As a society, we must confront the potential dangers of social media platforms and demand more from companies responsible for these technologies. The lawsuit against TikTok serves as a wake-up call, urging greater accountability and transparency from tech giants.

References

• https://www.reddit.com/r/AskNetsec/comments/19bckqu/what_does_tiktok_actually_do_that_is_so_bad/
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/10/11/tiktok-lawsuit-children-addiction-mental-health/
• https://www.resetera.com/threads/npr-tiktok-executives-know-about-app%E2%80%99s-effect-on-teens-lawsuit-documents-allege.1007571/
• https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/g-s1-27676/tiktok-redacted-documents-in-teen-safety-lawsuit-revealed