TikTok in Hot Water! 13 US States Unleash Lawsuits Over App's 'Addictive' Grip on Kids

TikTok, the popular social media platform, is facing another wave of lawsuits in the United States. Thirteen states have filed fresh lawsuits against the company, accusing it of designing an app that is "addictive" to children and causing harm to its young users.

The lawsuits, which were filed in various state courts across the country, allege that TikTok's algorithm is designed to keep children engaged on the app for as long as possible, often resulting in negative consequences for their mental and physical health.

According to the plaintiffs, TikTok's endless scrolling feature, which allows users to continuously view videos without having to manually refresh the page, is a key factor in its addictive nature. The feature uses artificial intelligence to learn a user's preferences and serve them content that is likely to keep them engaged, often resulting in users spending hours on the app at a time.

The lawsuits also accuse TikTok of failing to protect its young users from the risks associated with excessive social media use, including cyberbullying, sleep deprivation, and decreased attention span. The plaintiffs argue that TikTok has a duty to protect its users, particularly children, from these risks, but has failed to do so.

In addition to its alleged addictive nature, TikTok is also accused of running what amounts to an "unlicensed virtual economy" by allowing users to purchase virtual currencies, such as TikTok Coins, and send "Gifts" to streamers. These gifts can then be exchanged for real money, effectively allowing users to monetize their social media presence.

The plaintiffs argue that this virtual economy is unregulated and poses a risk to children, who may not fully understand the implications of spending real money on virtual currencies. They also argue that TikTok's failure to disclose the risks associated with this virtual economy to its users is a deceptive business practice.

TikTok has faced similar lawsuits in the past, with some plaintiffs accusing the company of violating child protection laws and others alleging that the app's algorithm is unfair and biased. However, this latest wave of lawsuits represents a significant escalation of the legal challenges facing the company.

As the lawsuits make their way through the courts, TikTok will likely face increased scrutiny over its business practices and the impact of its app on its young users. The company has faced growing criticism in recent years over its handling of user data, its approach to content moderation, and its impact on society.

For now, TikTok remains one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over a billion active users. However, as the company faces increasingly complex and far-reaching legal challenges, its future remains uncertain.