Utah sues TikTok, claiming it damages youth mental health.
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
4:05 PM – Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Utah Takes Legal Action Against TikTok, Accusing the App of Harming Children’s Mental Health
The state of Utah has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the popular social media platform is luring children into addictive behaviors that are detrimental to their mental health.
During a news conference, Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) expressed his determination to hold social media companies accountable for their actions.
“We will not stand by while these companies fail to take adequate, meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary,” the governor announced.
The lawsuit alleges that TikTok entices children into addictive social media usage, misrepresents its safety protocols, and hides its Chinese ownership under ByteDance.
According to the Associated Press (AP), Utah joins Arkansas and Indiana in similar lawsuits against the Chinese-owned app. The U.S. Supreme Court is also considering whether to ban other social media apps like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) if they violate the Constitution.
In 2022, Governor Cox already banned TikTok in Utah government branches due to security concerns. However, the ban is set to take effect in 2024.
“China’s access to data collected by TikTok presents a threat to our cybersecurity,” Cox said in a statement. “As a result, we’ve deleted our TikTok account and ordered the same on all state-owned devices. We must protect Utahans and make sure that the people of Utah can trust the state’s security systems.”
The lawsuit highlights the health risks associated with excessive social media usage, citing research that shows children who spend over three hours a day on social media are at a higher risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
“TikTok designed and employs algorithm features that spoon-feed kids endless, highly curated content from which our children struggle to disengage. TikTok designed these features to mimic a cruel slot machine that hooks kids’ attention and does not let them go,” said Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes.
Utah’s lawsuit aims to compel TikTok to change its harmful behavior and proposes fines and penalties to fund educational efforts and address the negative impact on Utah’s youth.
However, a TikTok spokesperson claimed that the app has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including a 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts.
Earlier this year, Utah passed laws restricting children and teens from using social media platforms without parental consent, including TikTok.
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What are the potential implications for the regulation of social media platforms if Utah’s lawsuit against TikTok is successful
Utah Takes Legal Action Against TikTok, Accusing the App of Harming Children’s Mental Health
The state of Utah has recently filed a lawsuit against the popular social media platform TikTok, alleging that it is causing harm to children’s mental health. The lawsuit claims that TikTok is luring children into addictive behaviors that are detrimental to their well-being.
Governor Spencer Cox (R-Utah) expressed his determination to hold social media companies accountable for their actions during a news conference. He stated, “We will not stand by while these companies fail to take adequate, meaningful action to protect our children. We will prevail in holding social media companies accountable by any means necessary.”
The lawsuit specifically accuses TikTok of enticing children into addictive social media usage, misrepresenting its safety protocols, and concealing its Chinese ownership under ByteDance. Utah joins Arkansas and Indiana in bringing similar lawsuits against the Chinese-owned app, with the U.S. Supreme Court also considering whether to ban other social media apps like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) if they violate the Constitution.
In 2022, Governor Cox had already banned TikTok in Utah government branches due to security concerns. However, the ban is set to take effect in 2024. Regarding the ban, Cox stated, “China’s access to data collected by TikTok presents a threat to our cybersecurity. As a result, we’ve deleted our TikTok account and ordered the same on all state-owned devices. We must protect Utahans and make sure that the people of Utah can trust the state’s security systems.”
The lawsuit not only focuses on TikTok’s potential cybersecurity risks but also highlights the health risks associated with excessive social media usage. Research shows that children who spend over three hours a day on social media are at a higher risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes emphasized TikTok’s algorithm features, stating, “TikTok designed and employs algorithm features that spoon-feed kids endless, highly curated content from which our children struggle to disengage. TikTok designed these features to mimic a cruel slot machine that hooks kids’ attention and does not let them go.”
The goal of Utah’s lawsuit is to compel TikTok to change its harmful behavior. The lawsuit proposes fines and penalties, with the funds being used for educational efforts and addressing the negative impact on Utah’s youth.
A spokesperson for TikTok claimed that the app has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including a 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts. However, Utah passed laws earlier this year that restrict children and teens from using social media platforms without parental consent, including TikTok.
The outcome of this lawsuit will have significant implications for the regulation of social media platforms and their impact on children. As the legal battle continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of young users and ensure that social media platforms take responsibility for the potential harms associated with excessive use.
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