More than a dozen U.S. states have sued TikTok, accusing the social media platform of contributing to a growing mental health crisis among teenagers. The lawsuit, filed by 14 state attorneys general, alleges TikTok uses addictive features to engage children and misleads the public about the app’s safety.
The bipartisan group claims that TikTok’s design promotes compulsive use, disrupting sleep, and encouraging unhealthy behaviors. New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the lead figures in the lawsuit, said TikTok’s platform has led to injuries and deaths, citing cases where young people participated in dangerous “challenges.”
In one tragic case, a 15-year-old boy died in Manhattan after attempting to “subway surf,” a trend seen on TikTok. His mother later discovered related videos on his phone. James emphasized that many young users feel sad, anxious, and depressed due to the platform’s influence.
TikTok has responded by calling the lawsuit “disappointing” and rejecting the claims as “inaccurate and misleading.” The company pointed to its efforts to protect teens and limit screen time, though the lawsuit argues these measures are ineffective.
This lawsuit adds to the growing list of legal challenges TikTok faces in the U.S. In April, Congress passed a law that could ban the app unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, agrees to sell it. The app, popular with teens, is also being scrutinized by the Federal Trade Commission for violating child privacy laws.
The lawsuit seeks to halt TikTok’s harmful practices and impose financial penalties.