Nebraska Files Lawsuit Against TikTok and ByteDance Over Alleged Targeting of Minors

Nebraska is taking a stand against social media giant TikTok and its parent company ByteDance, accusing the platform of harming minors with its "addictive design" and contributing to a youth mental health crisis. Attorney General Mike Hilgers stated that TikTok has shown no concern for the damage caused by its exploitative algorithm.

Deceptive Practices

The lawsuit, filed in state court, asserts that TikTok engages in "deceptive and unfair trade practices" by falsely promoting itself as "family-friendly" and "safe for young users." It alleges that the platform does not adhere to its own Community Guidelines, which claim to prohibit content that may endanger young people. Additionally, the complaint states that despite spending millions on advertising to portray itself as suitable for young users, TikTok fails to effectively monitor and remove harmful content.

Algorithm Exploitation

Nebraska's investigation involved creating TikTok accounts for fictitious minors of ages 13, 15, and 17, which quickly led to the exposure of inappropriate content. The lawsuit argues that the platform's algorithm and "For You" feed contribute to this issue, exposing minors to explicit content without their active search.

Impact on Youth Mental Health

The lawsuit asserts that the exposure to such content has led to a "youth mental health crisis in Nebraska", impacting minors with content encouraging suicidal thoughts, depression, body image issues, eating disorders, drug use, and sexual content inappropriate for young audiences.

TikTok's Response

TikTok has refuted these allegations, stating that it has implemented industry-leading safeguards to protect teens' well-being, including age-restricted features, parental controls, and a 60-minute time limit for users under 18. The company spokesperson emphasized their commitment to addressing industry-wide concerns.

TikTok's Ongoing Legal Battles

Nebraska's lawsuit comes amid TikTok's conflicts with the U.S. government, which recently passed legislation requiring the platform to sever ties with its China-based owner within a year or face potential prohibition in the U.S. TikTok has raised concerns about the violation of its users' First Amendment rights. Furthermore, several states and the federal government have already prohibited the app on government-issued devices.