Attorney General Josh Stein has initiated legal action against TikTok, accusing the company of creating a harmful product for children and misleading the public about its risks. "TikTok knowingly created a product that harmed children, and then it deceived everyone about how dangerous and addictive the product was," Stein stated. He emphasized the importance of honesty in business practices, saying, "It doesn’t matter what you’re selling – you have to be honest about the risks, and you have to follow the law. TikTok failed in both regards, and our children suffer. So, I’m taking them to court to make them do better by our kids."
The lawsuit highlights that many American teenagers are frequent users of TikTok, with an average usage time nearing two hours daily for those aged 13 to 17. Some even spend three hours or more on the app each day. This level of engagement reportedly affects their sleep patterns, school attention spans, and time spent with family.
Internal documents obtained by attorneys general reveal that TikTok employees had raised concerns about child safety on the platform but suggested changes were not implemented due to business interests.
Stein is seeking both injunctive relief and financial penalties against TikTok. This is his second lawsuit targeting social media platforms; he previously filed against Meta in October 2023 over similar concerns regarding Instagram and Facebook.
The lawsuit is supported by Attorneys General from several states including New York, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington as well as California and the District of Columbia.