TikTok has been sued in the United States as 13 states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits on Tuesday, accusing the platform of failing to protect young users.
Lodged individually in states such as New York and California, the cases allege that the social media giant uses software specifically designed to exploit children’s time online, allowing unhealthy screen habits.
The lawsuits are additions to TikTok’s legal challenges with U.S. regulators, as the states seek financial penalties and stricter oversight of the Chinese-owned app.
According to the complaints, TikTok intentionally targets minors, with accusations that the platform’s addictive nature is designed to maximise user engagement for advertising purposes.
California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, condemned TikTok’s business model, stating that the platform knowingly engages children with content that promotes prolonged usage. “TikTok thrives on encouraging social media addiction for profit, exploiting kids who are not yet equipped to regulate their screen time,” Bonta said.
Meanwhile, Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, highlighted the negative impact on mental health, pointing to increasing concerns among teenagers over their digital well-being.
In response, TikTok rejected the assertions, describing many as inaccurate and contending that the lawsuits failed to acknowledge the safety measures the platform has implemented.
The company is disappointed over the states’ decision to sue the platform rather than collaborate on industry-wide solutions. TikTok mentioned features such as screen time limits and privacy controls for younger users, emphasising that these measures are part of its efforts to ensure a safer environment for minors.
Additional accusations emerged in Washington D.C., where Attorney General Brian Schwalb accused TikTok of running an unlicensed money transmission business through its live streaming and virtual currency systems.
Schwalb went further to allege that the app enables environments that risk sexual exploitation, comparing its functionality to a “virtual strip club” with inadequate age restrictions.
The recent lawsuits come as more complaints come up about TikTok’s potential impact on children, adding to a series of legal issues. Last year, several states initiated investigations into TikTok’s influence on young audiences, and the U.S. Department of Justice sued the platform in August for alleged violations of children’s privacy laws.
Other states, such as Utah and Texas, have previously lodged similar claims, accusing TikTok of failing to safeguard minors.
