A coalition of 14 U.S. state attorneys general is suing TikTok, claiming the platform negatively impacts teenage mental health and violates privacy laws. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok's addictive features, such as constant notifications and autoplaying videos, contribute to depression and self-esteem issues among young users. Notably, incidents like a tragic death linked to a TikTok challenge underscore the platform's dangers. The coalition aims to hold TikTok accountable for its marketing practices and seeks financial penalties for targeting teenagers, highlighting the urgent need to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis.

What are the main allegations against TikTok in the lawsuit? n

The lawsuit alleges that TikTok misleads the public about the safety of its platform, utilizes addictive features to keep users engaged, harms teenage mental health, and violates the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by improperly collecting data on users under 13.

TikTok, a globally popular social media platform owned by ByteDance, has faced scrutiny for its impact on young users. Since its rise in popularity, TikTok's design encourages prolonged usage, which research suggests can lead to detrimental mental health effects. The platform's trends, often centered around risky behaviors, have been criticized for contributing to dangerous actions among teens, prompting calls for stricter regulation and oversight.