More than a dozen US states have filed lawsuits against the social network TikTok, accusing the platform of causing mental health crises among teenagers. About this informs BBC.
A bipartisan coalition of 14 U.S. attorneys general alleges that TikTok knowingly uses features that are addictive to teenagers. These features include constant sleep-disrupting notifications, videos that disappear to encourage you to constantly check the platform, and filters that change your appearance and create unrealistic standards of beauty.
U.S. officials say TikTok is considered safe to use, but in reality, children are becoming addicted to the platform, leading to rising levels of anxiety and depression among teenagers. New York Attorney General Letitia James recalled a tragic case: a 15-year-old boy died while riding on the roof of a subway car after watching a similar video on TikTok.
Lawsuits have been filed in 13 states and the District of Columbia, where the attorney general has also accused TikTok of conducting illegal money transfer activities through the virtual currency offered by the platform. The lawsuits refer to the demand to regulate the functions of the social network and to impose fines on the company.
In the past, states such as Texas and Utah have already initiated similar lawsuits against TikTok. In addition, in August, the US Federal Trade Commission accused the platform of violating children’s privacy laws.
The European Commission has also launched an investigation into the algorithms of TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat over concerns that these platforms spread fake news and content that promotes self-harm to vulnerable groups of users.
