The attorneys general for 13 states and Washington, D.C., sued TikTok on Tuesday, alleging that the platform is intentionally designed to be addictive to children and harm their mental health.
Launched in 2016, the Chinese-owned TikTok is a popular social media and short-form video platform with one billion monthly active users worldwide.
One attorney general described TikTok as “digital nicotine,” stating that features like endless scrolling can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep loss, and body dysmorphia in young people. The social media network responded to allegations by claiming it has increased safeguards and safety features to protect children.