A bipartisan group of more than a dozen state attorneys general filed lawsuits today against the Chinese social media app TikTok, claiming it’s causing a multitude of problems where children’s mental health is concerned.
The suits, each filed individually but led by the attorneys general of New York and California, accuse the platform of violating the law by “falsely claiming” it “is safe for young people.” The suits state that TikTik has “addictive” features such as 24/7 notifications and autoplay videos, while TikTok “challenges” they claim also pose a danger to American kids.
This comes as the app is battling to stay in existence in the U.S. after accusations it’s in league with the Chinese government and therefore a security threat. TikTok has denied these accusations, but as things stand, it’s looking more likely the 170 million Americans who use the app might soon be logging off forever.
Just last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hit the app with a lawsuit alleging it violates the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act, or SCOPE. Several social media firms have been in the spotlight over the last few years over child safety, but right now it looks as though TikTok is the app at the center of official wrath.
“TikTok knows that compulsive use of and other harmful effects of its platform are wreaking havoc on the mental health of millions of American children and teenagers,” said the lawsuit filed in New York. “Despite such documented knowledge, TikTok continually misrepresents its platform as ‘safe’ [and] ‘appropriate for children and teenagers.’”
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has been outspoken in the past about the damage bottom line-focused social media companies are causing for the youth of America, said young people are now “more sad, anxious and depressed because of TikTok’s addictive features.” The suits also claim TikTok’s “lax age verification measures incentivize U.S. minors to lie about their age to gain access.”
While not related to the possible upcoming ban, these suits seek to impose financial penalties, which will include “the disgorgement of all profits resulting from the fraudulent and illegal practices, and to collect damages for users that have been harmed.”
The app has responded saying the claims are “inaccurate and misleading.” It added, “We’re proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we’ve done to protect teens and we will continue to update and improve our product.”
Even with some support from various areas, one might ask how many more hammer blows TikTok can take.