More than a dozen states, along with the District of Columbia, have filed lawsuits against TikTok, alleging that the app is detrimental to children’s mental health by being designed for compulsive and excessive use.
The lawsuits, which stem from a national investigation initiated in March 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general, claim that TikTok’s algorithm is particularly dangerous due to its extensive use among young people and its ability to deliver quick dopamine hits. The complaints, filed in state courts, argue that features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and in-app purchases foster addictive behaviors.
Central to the lawsuits is TikTok’s algorithm, which curates content for users’ “For You” feed based on their interests. The District of Columbia described the algorithm as “dopamine-inducing,” claiming it was intentionally designed to be addictive, leading to significant psychological and physiological harm, such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia.
The lawsuits also cite internal documents showing that TikTok targets users under 13 and collects their data without parental consent.
TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes refuted these claims, stating that the app includes safeguards such as removing underage users, setting screen time limits, and default privacy settings for users under 16. He expressed disappointment that the attorneys general opted for litigation rather than working with TikTok on industry-wide challenges.
Over the past year, TikTok has faced mounting pressure from US lawmakers and prosecutors. Congress has passed a law set to enact a nationwide ban on TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the app. The US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have also sued TikTok for allegedly violating child privacy laws.
According to Brian Schwalb, District of Columbia attorney general, “TikTok is profiting off addicting young people to its platform,” which generates substantial ad revenue but also severe mental health impacts.
Despite TikTok’s policies to prevent children under 13 from using its main service, the lawsuits claim children can easily bypass these restrictions. The complaints also allege that TikTok’s beauty filters contribute to negative self-image among young users.
Additionally, the lawsuits accuse TikTok of operating as an “unlicensed virtual economy” through its TikTok Coins system, which allows users to gift virtual currency to streamers who can cash it out. This system allegedly exploits teenagers, enabling the app to profit from sexual exploitation through its livestreaming feature.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has repeatedly defended the platform, pledging $2 billion to protect US users and counter claims that the app is harmful to young people.
