A series of unredacted documents from a lawsuit filed by the state of Kentucky has revealed that TikTok was aware of its harmful effects on the mental health of teenagers. This revelation comes at a time when several U.S. states have launched similar lawsuits, claiming that the app isn’t as safe for young users as it claims to be.
The addictive nature of TikTok and its mental health effects
According to documents analyzed by NPR, TikTok is designed to be addictive, particularly for young users who lack the self-control to manage their time on the app. Internal studies from the company show that compulsive use of the platform is linked to several mental health issues, including a decline in analytical skills, memory formation difficulties, heightened anxiety, and reduced empathy. Moreover, TikTok’s leadership was aware that overuse could interfere with sleep, schoolwork, and personal relationships.
Despite introducing a time management feature that limits app use to 60 minutes per day, it hasn’t been effective. Teens are still spending an average of 107 minutes per day on TikTok—nearly as much as they did before the feature was introduced. The documents suggest that this time limit feature was more about improving TikTok’s public image than genuinely curbing screen time for its users.
Moderation issues and concerning content
TikTok is also facing significant content moderation challenges. The documents reveal that underage girls on the platform were rewarded with “gifts” and “coins” in exchange for live striptease acts. Even more troubling, moderators were instructed not to remove accounts of users under 13 unless the users explicitly stated their age. The company has also admitted that a significant portion of rule-violating content, including videos normalizing physical and sexual abuse of minors, slips through unnoticed.
TikTok’s response and lingering questions
TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek has dismissed the accusations brought by Kentucky, claiming that the documents have been taken out of context and use misleading quotes. Haurek stated that TikTok has implemented strong safety measures, including voluntary features like default time limits for users, parental controls, and enhanced privacy protections for minors.
However, ongoing lawsuits and leaked documents raise serious questions about how TikTok manages its relationship with young users and the true impact the platform has on their mental health. As technology becomes more intertwined with our daily lives, these revelations force us to reflect on the long-term consequences of excessive social media use, particularly for younger generations.
Conclusion: The deeper issue with social media
TikTok’s addictive design and its struggle with harmful content highlight broader concerns about the role of social media in the lives of young people. As more states pursue legal action, it becomes clearer that platforms like TikTok need to be held accountable for the well-being of their users, especially vulnerable teens. While TikTok has made some moves to address the issues, the question remains—are these changes enough, or do we need stronger regulations to protect mental health in the digital age?
Fact-check
- TikTok’s internal studies showed the platform was designed to be addictive for young users.
- The average time teenagers spend on the app remains around 107 minutes per day despite the introduction of time limits.
- Moderation issues revealed in court documents include instances where underage girls were rewarded for inappropriate acts and moderators were instructed not to remove users under 13 unless age was explicitly stated.
- TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek defended the platform, claiming that the safety measures in place are robust.
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