Tiktok “Designed to be an addiction machine, aimed at kids,” says AG Coleman

TikTok is under fire from a coalition of 14 state attorneys general over allegations that the platform knowingly exposes young users to harmful content and addictive behavior.

The newly unsealed documents, reviewed by media outlets such as NPR, reveal that TikTok executives were aware of the app’s potential negative effects on teens’ mental health, but the company took limited steps to mitigate those risks.

The lawsuits, led by states like Kentucky, accuse TikTok of deliberately designing its app to maximize user engagement among teens. This includes using an advanced algorithm that can trap users down endless “content rabbit holes,” as well as implementing features like push notifications to encourage compulsive use.

According to internal communications cited in the suits, TikTok found that users, especially teenagers, could become addicted to the app within 35 minutes of use, typically after watching about 260 videos. This time frame aligns with findings that TikTok videos, which typically last only a few seconds, can quickly become habits, leading to excessive screen time and affecting essential activities such as sleep, education, and personal relationships.

The documents also reveal that while TikTok rolled out features like time management tools and “break” prompts ostensibly to help teens limit screen time, those tools had minimal impact. An internal report noted that these features only reduced screen time by about 1.5 minutes, leading some employees to consider them more of a PR tactic than a genuine security measure.

In fact, one project leader admitted that the main purpose of these tools was not to reduce usage but to improve public trust and user retention. The lawsuits also point to other aspects of the app, including beauty filters, which the company has acknowledged can exacerbate body image issues among young users. Internally, employees suggested adding educational resources or disclaimers about potential impacts on self-esteem.

However, the company has been criticized for not implementing these ideas more thoroughly. In response, TikTok has defended its safety record, saying the allegations misrepresent its commitment to protecting young users.

A TikTok spokesperson stressed that the company has introduced numerous safety features, such as privacy controls for minors and family pairing options, and actively removes users suspected of being underage.

However, the lawsuits claim these measures are insufficient and argue that TikTok prioritizes growth and participation over youth safety. With increasing pressure from state governments, TikTok faces not only this wave of lawsuits, but also potential regulatory action.

Under a new federal mandate, the company must divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January or risk a nationwide ban. These legal challenges could reshape the platform’s policies and its future in the US as debates continue about social media’s impact on teen mental health and safety.