States Unite to Sue TikTok Over Alleged Youth Exploitation
On October 8, it was announced that more than a dozen states are uniting to sue the social media platform TikTok. The announcement was made by Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, and Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York. They are leading a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing lawsuits against TikTok.
Accusations Against TikTok
The lawsuits, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court among other jurisdictions, accuse TikTok of exploiting young users and deceiving the public about its potential dangers. The attorneys general allege that the social media company intentionally targets children, cultivating an addiction to boost corporate profits.
Rob Bonta stated that TikTok's strategy of targeting children, who lack the capacity to create healthy boundaries around addictive content, has contributed to a youth mental health crisis. He further criticized the revenue machine TikTok has created, fueled by the time and attention of young people.
TikTok's Response
In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for TikTok stated that they "strongly disagree" with the claims made by the attorneys general, labeling many of them as "inaccurate and misleading." The company emphasized its commitment to protecting teens and its ongoing efforts to improve its product. They also highlighted their proactive measures to remove suspected underage users and their voluntary launch of safety features such as default screentime limits, family pairing, and privacy by default for minors under 16.
Details of the Lawsuits
The lawsuits claim that TikTok's business model is focused on maximizing young users’ time on the platform to increase revenue from targeted advertising. The company is accused of using manipulative features designed to keep minors engaged compulsively, despite the potential dangers of excessive use.
Some of the specific features cited in the lawsuits include beauty filters, autoplay and infinite scroll, time-sensitive content, push notifications, and social validation through likes and comments. The coalition argues that these features violate state consumer protection laws, including California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law. The lawsuits seek significant penalties, as well as injunctive and monetary relief, to address the alleged misconduct.
Widespread Use of TikTok Among Youth
TikTok is widely used among young people in the United States. A 2023 Pew Research survey found that 63 percent of Americans aged 13 to 17 reported using TikTok, with 17 percent stating they are on the platform “almost constantly.”
States Involved in the Legal Action
The legal action against TikTok has been joined by attorneys general from Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. With these latest filings, 23 attorneys general have now taken action against TikTok concerning its conduct toward youth.
Previous Investigations and Lawsuits
In 2022, a nationwide investigation into TikTok was announced by Rob Bonta. The state also joined a bipartisan coalition in filing a federal lawsuit against Meta in October 2023, alleging that the company designed features that addict children and teens to their detriment.
Bottom Line
The growing concern over the impact of social media platforms like TikTok on the mental health of young people is evident in these lawsuits. The allegations of exploitation and the cultivation of addiction for corporate profit are serious and highlight the need for greater regulation and oversight in this area. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and let's get a conversation started. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.
