California sues TikTok over children's mental health and privacy violations

The lawsuits, spearheaded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James, highlight various features of TikTok that allegedly contribute to negative mental health outcomes among minors. These include the app’s infinite scrolling, beauty filters, and late-night push notifications, which are said to disrupt sleep and encourage compulsive use. The complaints assert that TikTok’s business model prioritizes profit over user safety, leading to significant adverse effects on the well-being of young users. Furthermore, the lawsuits allege that TikTok has not effectively enforced age restrictions, allowing children under 13 to access the platform and collect their data without parental consent.

Key Allegations

• Exploitation and Addiction: The lawsuits argue that TikTok’s algorithm is designed to maximize user engagement, particularly among minors, leading to addictive behavior.
• Impact on Mental Health: Features such as beauty filters are said to promote unhealthy body image issues, while viral challenges can encourage risky behaviors.
• Privacy Violations: TikTok is accused of failing to prevent children under 13 from using the app and improperly collecting their personal information, violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

Broader Context

This legal action is part of a growing trend of regulatory scrutiny facing social media platforms. TikTok, which has already faced lawsuits from federal agencies regarding privacy violations, now confronts increasing pressure from state attorneys general who are advocating for stronger protections for young users. As concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health escalate, these lawsuits signal a significant shift in how regulators are approaching the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding children.