TikTok Sued Over Concerns Of Mental Health Risks For Young Users

Parents, we know how much you and your kids might enjoy TikTok, but it turns out the platform is raising red flags when it comes to keeping children's safety.

Recent revelations from internal communications within the company, which were made public during a two-year investigation by 14 state attorneys general in the US, have sparked serious concerns about how TikTok manages the risks it poses to young users.

The investigation culminated in a lawsuit filed by several US states on Tuesday, claiming that TikTok was designed to be "addictive" to young minds, and that it allegedly misled the public about its potential risks.

In a twist of fate, some of these internal documents became accessible when Kentucky Public Radio copied and pasted excerpts from the redacted materials, revealing 30 pages of information that TikTok had intended to keep under wraps.

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TikTok's Hidden Issues

Following the release of the documents, a Kentucky judge sealed the entire complaint to ensure that any confidential or sensitive information wasn't improperly disclosed.

This legal maneuver came as state officials sought to protect the integrity of their ongoing investigation. However, the unsealed documents provided a troubling glimpse into TikTok's internal discussions, where executives openly acknowledged the dangers the app poses to children.

For example, although TikTok promoted time-management tools to help users reduce screen time, internal studies indicated these measures would only have minimal impact.

Despite knowing that the features would likely lead to only a marginal decrease in usage—about 1.5 minutes—TikTok pushed forward with their release as a public relations strategy rather than a genuine effort to protect young users. One TikTok project manager allegedly stated that the company’s goal was not to reduce time spent on the app but to increase user engagement.

Moreover, TikTok's "break" videos, designed to encourage users to take a pause, were seen internally as more of a talking point for discussions with policymakers rather than effective tools for promoting healthy usage.

The internal communications further revealed that TikTok is aware of the negative impact of beauty filters on self-esteem among young users. Documents indicate that employees had proposed educating users about image disorders and raising awareness about the importance of positive body image. Despite this knowledge, TikTok continued to promote filters like the popular Bold Glamour, which uses artificial intelligence to create unrealistic beauty standards.

On top of that, TikTok’s algorithm has been scrutinized for prioritizing conventionally attractive users, which could reinforce harmful beauty norms and negatively affect the self-image of younger users. Kentucky investigators found that the platform actively adjusted its algorithm to show fewer "unattractive subjects," directly contributing to a narrow and unrealistic portrayal of beauty.

The app has also faced scrutiny regarding its content moderation practices, especially concerning videos related to self-harm and eating disorders. Internal documents show that TikTok’s algorithms often failed to adequately flag harmful content, allowing videos that promoted dangerous behavior to circulate widely before any action was taken.

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Further, despite policies prohibiting accounts for users under 13, TikTok's moderators have reportedly been instructed to exercise caution before removing suspected underage accounts, leaving many young users vulnerable. 

As lawmakers and regulators intensify their scrutiny of TikTok, bipartisan efforts are underway to hold the company accountable for its practices. US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn have requested that TikTok disclose all materials related to child safety, further spotlighting the urgency of the situation.

Meanwhile, TikTok spokesman Alex Haurek defended the company’s child safety record and condemned the disclosure of once-public material that has now been sealed. "It is highly irresponsible of NPR to publish information that is under a court seal," Haurek said.

"Unfortunately, this complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety."

He continued, "We have robust safeguards, which include proactively removing suspected underage users, and we have voluntarily launched safety features such as default screentime limits, family pairing, and privacy by default for minors under 16."

In light of these revelations, it’s essential for parents to stay informed and vigilant about the content their children consume online, not just on TikTok.

Click here for a list of must-follow parent content creators on TikTok.