States sue TikTok, accusing it of using 'digital nicotine' to exploit teens
The District of Columbia and 13 states have sued TikTok, alleging that the company knowingly created an addictive product to immerse children in 'digital nicotine.' The lawsuits will examine whether TikTok falsely claimed that its app was 'safe for kids' and whether it violated state laws.
dc-ag-tiktok-digital-nicotine-lawsuit.pdf
Attorney General James Sues TikTok for Harming Children's Mental Health
(PDF file) https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-sues-tiktok-harming-childrens-mental-health
Attorney General Bonta, Attorney General James Lead Coalition Suing TikTok for Exploiting Young Users, Deceiving Public | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-attorney-general-james-lead-coalition-suing-tiktok
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who led a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general, issued a statement saying, 'TikTok violated state law by falsely representing itself as a safe platform for young people. In fact, many young users suffer from mental health and body image issues as a result of TikTok's addictive features. Additionally, people have been injured, hospitalized, and even died as a result of dangerous 'TikTok Challenges' created and promoted on the platform. TikTok has misled the public about its safety and is harming the mental health of young people, and we call on you to end its harmful practices and impose financial penalties on them.'
The lawsuit stems from a nationwide investigation launched in March 2022 by the Coalition of Attorneys General, which found that TikTok may be intentionally targeting children.
For example, TikTok's 24-hour notifications that disrupt children's sleep patterns, its endless videos without the option to disable autoplay, its 'Stories' feature that displays posts for only 24 hours to create ephemeral moments to attract children, and its beauty filters that lower the self-esteem of young users are considered to be 'highly addictive systems' that were intentionally designed by TikTok.
Attorney General James and others pointed out that this design was aimed at maximizing young users' stay on the platform and increasing advertising revenue. The lawsuit uses the expression 'digital nicotine' and worries that children, whose brains are still developing, will become addicted to TikTok's design.
Another problem is that TikTok has not responded to the 'TikTok Challenges' started by users. TikTok challenges are specific themes, and by posting videos that fit the themes, users can feel happy to be part of the community. However, some of these themes are dangerous and can cause harm to the human body or others, and there have been cases of deaths and arrests.
More than 15 children under the age of 12 have died in the past year and a half due to the TikTok fainting challenge. Why can't they exclude users under the age of 13? - GIGAZINE
In addition to the above, TikTok is suspected of violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which protects children's data.
Through these lawsuits, Attorney General James and her colleagues seek to seize all profits derived from the fraudulent and illegal conduct and to collect damages for harmed users.
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