TikTok Under Fire: 14 States Sue Over Alleged Addiction and Mental Health Harms to Teens

In a powerful legal move, a bipartisan coalition of 14 state attorneys general has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the platform of fostering addiction in young users and contributing to a nationwide mental health crisis among teens. The lawsuits, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, mark the latest in a string of legal challenges aimed at the social media giant.

The attorneys general argue that TikTok’s design, from its addictive, never-ending feed to risky viral challenges and late-night push notifications, keeps teens glued to their screens. The platform’s influence on mental health, they claim, is exacerbated by algorithms that prioritize profit over safety.

“Addiction by Design”

At the heart of the lawsuits is the accusation that TikTok’s algorithms are engineered to maximize user engagement—especially among minors. The platform’s content recommendation system, driven by targeted ads, allegedly exploits teens’ developing minds, leading to compulsive use that interferes with daily life, disrupts sleep, and fosters mental health issues.

In a statement, the attorneys general said, “TikTok’s business model focuses on maximizing young users’ time on the platform… despite the dangers of compulsive use.” The coalition emphasized that TikTok’s success has come at a significant cost to young people’s well-being, citing examples of teens engaging in dangerous behaviors such as “subway surfing,” which have been linked to viral TikTok challenges.

TikTok Responds: “Misleading Claims”

TikTok, however, has pushed back strongly. Alex Haurek, a spokesperson for the platform, called the lawsuits’ allegations “inaccurate and misleading,” highlighting TikTok’s safety features, such as screen time limits and parental controls. Haurek added, “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to protect teens and will continue to improve our product.”

Despite these defenses, the lawsuits claim TikTok’s focus on profits has driven its success, earning $16 billion in U.S. revenue in 2023 alone, with $2 billion of that coming from ads targeting teens.

Growing Regulatory Pressure

This legal action adds to the mounting pressure on TikTok. The platform is already facing potential bans in the U.S. over data privacy concerns and a June 2023 New York law aimed at regulating social media algorithms for minors. Last month, 42 state attorneys general called on U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to mandate warning labels on social media apps, alerting users to potential mental health risks.

The outcome of these lawsuits could reshape the future of TikTok and social media as a whole, especially as the legal scrutiny intensifies over the impact of digital platforms on the mental health of America’s youth.