This is pretty much what 14 states and the D.C. government are suing TikTok for, you know, an app so addictive that it gets you and your kids so attached that you can’t look away, and that’s kinda concerning. It was filed with rings in October 2024 and said that it messes with children’s mental health, and that’s why we are seeing this TikTok Lawsuit Mental Health thing in the first place. So, let’s just go over the details of it all, and see what really is going on or what are the main allegations here. Alright, here we go now.
What’s the Problem?
Just so you know though, from the very beginning of this lawsuit, the claimants say that TikTok is deliberately designed to be addictive. This is seen in the way the app will continuously feature personalized videos, making it quite hard for the user, the younger users to stop scrolling, you know? Sure enough, this kind of content keeps children “hooked” before their screens for long hours and keeps them active late at night, causing problems with the schedule of sleep and finally, mental health.
Among critics, there’s a prolonged discourse about how viral trends on TikTok have resulted in real-life tragedies. By this point we have all heard of the tragic case, right? Like, where a New Yorker was identified as a teenager who died trying out the “subway surfing” trend encouraged by various TikTok videos. Sure enough, you can’t deny the fact that such accidents brought to light the influence of the platform and its possible risks.
Next, the beauty adjustments aka the filters, you know? They change faces to be “perfect” unreal standards of beauty. Such modifications can result in a severe body image threat among children and teenagers. Also, we must not forget the privacy issues of TikTok regarding sketchy house parks with stuff such as collecting data from kids below the age of 13 without parental supervision, and that for sure right there is not a small no-no by U.S. law.
TikTok’s Side of the Story
In fact, TikTok states, “Not true” to all that is being alleged against them, and the reason why they’re in the court for. So yes, just like all or most of the big companies do when they’re dragged in for a lawsuit, TikTok also stated that these allegations are not true at all. Just so you know though, all the claims center around the fact that they fully believe in user safety, which they maintain is proved with features such as screen time controls and parental control. The company states disappointment at the way states have gone directly to lawsuits instead of cooperation.
It’s About TikTok Or Social Media In General, Then Why Should YOU Even Care?
As if it needed to be said: More than TikTok. Sure enough, this case right here touches on bigger issues about youth and social media. Instagram and Facebook are also being called out for their poisonously addictive designs. They were getting questions about how the things that serve the purpose of profit should sneak their way into mental health, you know? Some even consider legislation that would turn into a complete ban of TikTok on U.S. shores unless its parent company ByteDance sells off part of its stake, that’s what they’re up for right now.
What’s Next?
The states want TikTok to change course entirely like getting rid of addictive features and then pay damages for the harm already done. Sure enough, there are some countries that also ask for a refund on ad revenue earned for targeting users under 18.
You know, it’s not just about watching TikTok. If the lawsuits bring or come to a conclusion against TikTok, it will send a clear signal to other social media platforms: It’s about time to put people’s health over profit.