As such, Minnesota is demanding that TikTok exploit young people through the use of addictive algorithms. We live in a time when this doesn’t sound strange. Many states, and indeed countries, have already complained about this type of practice. In fact, Australia is seeking to completely restrict social media use among teenagers. In this case, Minnesota alleges that the digital platform violates state laws against deceptive business practices and consumer fraud.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison: “This is not about free speech. They’re definitely going to sue”
Minnesota has joined a wave of states suing TikTok, alleging that the social media giant preys on young people with addictive algorithms that trap them into becoming compulsive consumers of its short videos. “This is not about free speech. They’re definitely going to sue,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said at a press conference.
Given the states’ claim that these features exploit young people’s neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities, the concern seems latent. “Simply put, the more people become addicted to TikTok, the more money they make and the more their users’ mental health suffers,” Ellison noted in a statement. Mental health, we should remember, is one of the most debated topics in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This lawsuit follows a wave of lawsuits filed by more than a dozen states last year
The lawsuit, filed in state court, alleges that TikTok violates Minnesota laws against deceptive business practices and consumer fraud. “This is about deception, manipulation, and misrepresentation. This is about a company that knows the dangers and harmful effects of its product, yet fails to take steps to mitigate them or inform users of the risks,” the attorney general stated. This lawsuit follows a wave of lawsuits filed by more than a dozen states last year, alleging that the popular short-video app is designed to be addictive for children and harm their mental health. The Minnesota case brings the total to approximately 24 states, according to Ellison’s office.
It’s clearly a problem that concerns American society, especially parents and teachers, who are most closely involved with teenagers’ lives. Sean Padden, a middle school health teacher in the Roseville Area School District, joined Ellison, saying he’s witnessed a correlation between increased TikTok use and an “irrefutable increase in student mental health issues.”
Critics argue that these types of social media, with these algorithms, diminish young people’s attention spans
They specifically refer to moods close to depression, anxiety, anger, or low self-esteem. This is especially true among women, given the new trend that once again focuses on extreme thinness, a problem that caused considerable harm, especially in the 2000s. Furthermore, critics argue that these types of social media, with these algorithms, diminish young people’s attention spans as they seek the quick gratification offered by their short videos.
TikTok continues to defend itself and insists it has implemented more than 50 features to promote the well-being of its community
For its part, TikTok has responded by highlighting its safety features, such as Family Pairing, which allows parents to manage their children’s use of the app. According to an AP report, the state seeks to secure up to $25,000 for each TikTok access by a Minnesota child. In any case, TikTok continues to defend itself and insists it has implemented more than 50 features to promote the well-being of its community. All of this comes amid the tariff battles Donald Trump is currently having with countries like China. In fact, the current US president just announced an agreement for TikTok to continue operating in the US and says that the talks with China held in Madrid have gone “very well.”
