TikTok sued over alleged harm to children’s mental health
A group of 14 US states has sued TikTok, alleging that the site is leading to a mental health crisis among youths. According to the lawsuit, TikTok employs addictive elements to keep children hooked and misleads the public about the dangers of long-term use.
TikTok disputes the charges, describing them as false and misleading.
The complaint emphasizes the platform’s role in fostering risky actions, such as viral challenges, as well as its influence on teen mental health, citing sleep disturbance and body image problems. It also accuses TikTok of not successfully limiting screen time and deceiving users about safety features.
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The complaint, filed in New York, asks that TikTok modify its policies or face severe financial penalties. Similar cases have been filed against other social media networks, including Facebook and Instagram.
TikTok, which is used by more than half of US teens, is under increasing legal pressure for privacy breaches and kid safety concerns.
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, said the cases reflect displeasure with social media firms’ lack of responsibility and need for stricter regulations to compel serious change.
Source: Xtrememediaonline.com