TikTok, a Chinese-owned social media app, is being accused of knowingly harming kids. New documents from an investigation by Kentucky’s Attorney General reveal that TikTok is allowing children under 13 to use the app in violation of its own policies. Users are aware of underage girls stripping on livestreams, causing sleep deprivation in kids and teens. The app has a hold on 170 million American users, and it’s time for parents, politicians, educators, and individuals to push back against TikTok.
The court-filed evidence from Kentucky reveals that TikTok is aware of issues such as sleep deprivation and interfering with essential responsibilities like schoolwork and connecting with loved ones. It also shows that TikTok executives are aware of the addictive nature of the app and how it manipulates dopamine release in young users’ brains. The document also mentions that TikTok disregards the presence of children under 13 on their app and avoids enforcing age restrictions unless explicitly mentioned in the user’s bio.
Additionally, the documents highlight that TikTok promotes the content of attractive people and suppresses the content of less attractive individuals. The company reportedly manipulated the algorithm to push a narrow beauty norm, compromising the well-being of its young users. TikTok was also aware that minors were engaging in inappropriate activities on the platform, such as livestreaming stripping for coins, a digital currency purchased with real money. And finally, parental time limits had no significant effect on curbing app usage among teens.
As a response to public concern over addiction and excessive screen time, TikTok introduced time caps for children’s accounts in 2023. However, the effectiveness of these time limits was minimal, with only a minute reduction in average daily use. Despite efforts to address concerns around safety and usage, the allegations against TikTok suggest a lack of concrete solutions and a focus on profits over the well-being of young users. States like New York and California have taken legal action against the app for misleading the public and causing a teen mental health crisis.
Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn have demanded that TikTok provide all documents related to child safety in light of these revelations. The company insists that it has implemented robust safeguards to protect underage users and has introduced safety features like default screentime limits. However, psychologists and experts in the field express doubts about TikTok’s commitment to protecting young users. With China implementing strict regulations to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, American families are urged to take a stand against shady practices and potentially harmful content on TikTok.
