A coalition of fourteen attorneys general, led by New York and California, filed lawsuits on Tuesday against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of harming young users’ mental health and collecting their data without proper consent. The lawsuits, filed individually by each state, allege that TikTok violated state laws by falsely advertising itself as a safe platform for young people.
The lawsuits focus on what the plaintiffs describe as TikTok’s “addictive” features, such as constant notifications and video autoplay. They also highlight the dangers posed by viral TikTok challenges and accuse the platform of collecting data from users under the age of 13 without parental consent, in violation of federal online privacy laws.
Concerns about the negative impact of social media on mental health have been mounting in recent years, especially regarding children and teens. In a report released in May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy identified social media as a key contributor to rising levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among young people. Murthy has been vocal about the need for increased regulation, even suggesting Congress mandate tobacco-style warnings on social media platforms to alert users to potential mental health risks.
Earlier this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned the CEOs of TikTok, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter) during a hearing on online child safety and youth mental health.
