Attorney General Mike Hilgers has released key excerpts from internal TikTok documents, revealing that the platform is aware of its addictive nature, widespread compulsive use, and ineffective safety tools.
The excerpts are part of a landmark complaint filed by Attorney General Hilgers against TikTok in May. The case is currently proceeding before Judge Lori A. Maret in Lancaster District Court. Until this week, any internal TikTok documents quoted in the complaint were redacted from public view.
The newly unredacted documents indicate that:
- TikTok's success stems from "many coercive design tactics" and features that "limit user agency," including infinite scroll, auto-play, and constant notifications.
- The platform affects users psychologically similar to a "slot machine," with TikTok admitting that the product inherently promotes compulsive use.
- Young users on TikTok have minimal ability to self-regulate effectively and lack the executive control function needed to manage their screen time.
- Compulsive usage correlates with various negative mental health effects such as loss of analytical skills, memory formation, contextual thinking, conversational depth, empathy, and increased anxiety.
- Compulsive usage interferes with essential personal responsibilities like sufficient sleep, work/school duties, and connecting with loved ones while causing negative emotions.
- Despite knowing that poor sleep is linked to adverse health outcomes and mental health issues, TikTok acknowledges its role in disrupting users' sleep patterns.
- Many teens find TikTok addictive and inappropriate, noting it interferes with their lives in unhealthy ways.
- Publicized safety features like age verification and Family Pairing are easily circumvented or not widely used but are still considered "good talking points" for addressing scrutiny from policymakers.
These significant portions of the complaint have now been unredacted and made available to the public.
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