Nebraska has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, accusing the social media platform of targeting minors with addictive design and causing a youth mental health crisis. The lawsuit claims that TikTok does not adhere to its own Community Guidelines, which prohibit content that may put young people at risk. Despite advertising itself as family-friendly and safe for young users, the platform allegedly shows inappropriate content to minors based on its algorithm and addictive design.
As part of its investigation, Nebraska created fictitious TikTok accounts for minor users aged 13, 15, and 17. The lawsuit alleges that these users were quickly directed to inappropriate content, including videos simulating sexual acts and encouraging eating disorders. The content is pushed to minors through the platform’s “For You” feed, showing up uninvited in their feeds without them searching for similar videos. Attorney General Mike Hilgers stated that minors are exposed to content that encourages suicidal ideation, depression, body image issues, eating disorders, drug use, and sexual content, leading to a youth mental health crisis in Nebraska.
TikTok has refuted the allegations, stating that it has industry-leading safeguards in place to support teens’ well-being, including age-restricted features, parental controls, and time limits for users under 18. The company is committed to addressing industry-wide concerns and ensuring the safety of its users. The lawsuit from Nebraska comes as TikTok faces legal battles with the U.S. government over legislation requiring it to sever ties with its China-based owner within a year or face a ban in the country. TikTok has argued that banning the platform would violate the First Amendment rights of its users, and several lawsuits have been filed challenging the ban on the app on state-issued devices.
The lawsuit against TikTok highlights concerns about the impact of social media platforms on the mental health and well-being of young users. By alleging that TikTok’s algorithm and design expose minors to harmful content, Nebraska is seeking to hold the platform accountable for its practices. As the legal battle between TikTok and various entities continues, the debate over regulating social media platforms to protect users, especially minors, from potentially harmful content is likely to intensify. Overall, the lawsuit reflects growing concerns about the role of technology in shaping the mental health and behavior of young people.
