New Jersey joins states suing TikTok for concerns that app is harmful to children
The lawsuit states that TikTok has an algorithm that is “compulsive by design,” turning children into social media addicts.
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New Jersey has joined a dozen other states filing lawsuits against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance due to concerns that the app is harmful to children.
The lawsuit states that TikTok has an algorithm that is “compulsive by design,” turning children into social media addicts.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin says TikTok knows that it's exploiting children yet chooses to do nothing to stop it. Platkin pulled out data during an announcement in Newark saying that TikTok targets teens for data to expose them to what studies estimate to be 1,200 ads per day.
Platkin says that more time on the app means more money.
“Its reason for doing so is one word – ‘Greed,’” says Platkin.
The attorney general was joined by Cari Fais, acting director of the Division of Consumers Affairs.
“TikTok promotes compulsive use by giving children the same kind of dopamine hit that gamblers get from using a slot machine,” says Fais.
Platkin says TikTok has been linked to sleep deprivation and suicide. He called out a video filter called “Bold Glamour,” which changes a person's image could be harmful, especially to young girls.
“The effects can leave users depressed and feeling inadequate when their reality doesn’t match the filtered world view of TikTok,” says Platkin.
Platkin says this lawsuit is designed to have TikTok change its behavior and implement real safety mechanisms for users and parents.
TikTok has responded to the allegations. A spokesperson for TikTok wrote in part, "We strongly disagree with these claims, many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading. We're proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we've done to protect teens and we will continue to update and improve our product."
