CHICAGO, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today that his office has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, saying that it negatively impacts children and young adults.
TikTok, the popular social media platform is under fire with the Attorney General filing a lawsuit for the platform engaging in harmful business practices that specifically target young adults and children. The lawsuit is apart of a broader bipartisan effort by 14 states to hold TikTok accountable for its actions. The lawsuit follows an investigation that Raoul initiated investigating TikTok’s business model exploiting young users resulting in depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and thoughts of self-harm.
“American children and teenagers are in the grip of a devastating mental health crisis,” Raoul said. “The addictive features on TikTok’s social media platform are not just harmless entertainment; they have real consequences for our youth’s well-being. In Illinois, we are committed to holding TikTok and other social media companies accountable for prioritizing profits over our children’s safety.”
These findings come from the U.S. surgeon general, which highlight the correlation between excessive social media use and deteriorating mental health in the youth. Studies have shown that eighth and tenth graders spend an average of three-and-a-half hours per day on social media and a 2023 Pew Research survey found that 63% of Americans aged 13 to 17 used the platform, most on a daily basis. Raoul also claims that TikTok misrepresents its commitment to user safety, prioritizing profit over the well being of its young user base.
This lawsuit is part of Raoul’s broader initiative to safeguard children online, which includes a recent lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. for promoting Facebook and Instagram to young users despite the associated health risks. The lawsuit has garnered support from attorney generals from California, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington. 23 states have filed lawsuits against TikTok so far.
Raoul encourages young people seeking mental health challenges to contact friends, family, or trusted adults. For youth in crisis, contact 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or dial 911.