Get the latest gossip

More than a dozen states sue TikTok, alleging it harms kids and is designed to addict them

Lawsuits filed by 14 attorneys general argue that TikTok knowingly exacerbates the youth mental health crisis and places profits over child safety.

toggle caption Damian Dovarganes/AP More than a dozen states, led by California and New York, are suing TikTok for allegedly duping the public about the safety of the popular video app, claiming it was deliberately designed to keep young people hooked on the service. While pinpointing the exact role social media plays in worsening mental health issues is complicated, the state authorities claim TikTok is prioritizing the company’s growth and profits over child safety. Last month, Meta announced a host of new features that enhance parental supervision on Instagram and made all teen accounts private in an effort to shield young people from interacting with potential predators.

Get the Android app