Attorney General Charity Clark has filed a lawsuit against TikTok Inc., accusing the company of violating Vermont's Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit, coordinated with 14 other attorneys general across the United States, claims that TikTok uses manipulative design features to engage young users excessively. This legal action follows a similar complaint against Meta Platforms, Inc.
The complaint argues that TikTok's platform is designed to resemble slot machines, trapping young users in cycles of excessive use. It also alleges that TikTok paired its livestreaming feature, TikTok LIVE, with an illegal virtual economy, leading to sexual and financial exploitation of young users. According to the complaint, TikTok takes up to a fifty percent cut from transactions on its LIVE platform.
Attorney General Clark stated: “TikTok profits from addicting kids and teens to their platform, and that is by design. The time has come to end this harmful practice and restore young people’s mental and physical health.” She added: “I condemn TikTok for exploiting Vermont’s children. I will never stop fighting for our kids.”
The U.S. Surgeon General has highlighted the risks social media poses to young users' mental health and suggested warning labels on these platforms. The lawsuit points out increases in depression, anxiety, and isolation among Vermont's youth due to social media usage. A 2021 survey by the Vermont Department of Health indicated poor mental health among nearly half of high school girls and over a third of all high school students in Vermont as a result of screen time.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief requiring changes in how TikTok operates, along with penalties and monetary compensation for damages caused by these practices. Attorney General Clark continues her investigation into other social media platforms for similar issues.