A coalition of 14 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media giant of exacerbating a mental health crisis among teenagers through addictive features and deceptive claims about the platform’s safety. The bipartisan group of attorneys general alleges that TikTok intentionally misleads users and the public about the dangers of prolonged use, particularly for young people.
TikTok has dismissed the lawsuit as “disappointing,” asserting that many of the claims are “inaccurate and misleading.”
The legal action comes as TikTok continues to face pressure from U.S. lawmakers, including a law passed in April that threatens to ban the platform unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests its ownership.
“TikTok knows that compulsive use and other harmful effects of its platform are wreaking havoc on the mental health of millions of American children and teenagers,” the lawsuit, filed in New York, states. Despite this knowledge, TikTok continues to market itself as “safe” and “appropriate for children and teenagers,” it alleges.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the leading figures behind the lawsuit, expressed concern over the app’s impact on young users. She highlighted dangerous viral “challenges” on the platform that have led to injuries and even deaths, referencing a 15-year-old boy who died in Manhattan after attempting a “subway surfing” stunt. His mother later found TikTok videos promoting the dangerous act on his phone.
“Many young people are feeling more sad, anxious, and depressed because of TikTok’s addictive features,” James said in a statement, condemning the platform’s claim of being safe for younger users.
The lawsuit specifically identifies several problematic features on the app, such as notifications that disrupt sleep, content that disappears, prompting users to check the platform compulsively, and beauty filters that can negatively affect users’ self-esteem.
While TikTok has introduced tools aimed at curbing screen time and managing content, the lawsuit argues that the company has misrepresented the effectiveness of these measures.
In addition to the allegations of harming mental health, the lawsuit also accuses TikTok of operating an unlicensed money transmission business through its “virtual currency” offerings. Thirteen states, along with the District of Columbia, have filed separate lawsuits against the company.
In response, TikTok issued a statement defending its practices: “We strongly disagree with these claims, many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading. 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.”
The lawsuit seeks to halt the alleged harmful practices and impose financial penalties on the company.
TikTok is not alone in facing legal challenges over its influence on young people. Similar lawsuits have been brought against Facebook and Instagram, accusing them of contributing to mental health issues in teenagers.
TikTok, which is used by more than half of U.S. teenagers multiple times a day, has also been targeted by states like Texas and Utah for alleged failures to protect children. The Federal Trade Commission accused TikTok of violating child privacy laws in August, further adding to the platform’s legal troubles.
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the non-profit Center for Countering Digital Hate, expressed hope that the lawsuit would raise awareness among parents and push companies to reform their practices. However, he also called for stronger regulations from Washington to ensure meaningful change.
“The lawsuits signal growing frustration that there are no other mechanisms available to hold these platforms accountable,” Ahmed said. “Attorneys general are doing what they can with the limited tools available to them, but the judicial system alone has limited power to regulate these companies.”
As the lawsuits move forward, TikTok and other social media platforms will likely face increasing pressure to address their role in the mental health of young users, as lawmakers and regulators seek more robust ways to hold tech giants accountable.
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