Urgent TikTok warning for young users as app is investigated for ‘failing to protect children’s mental health’
CALIFORNIA joined at least seven other states that are currently investigating TikTok's potentially harmful effect on younger users.
The state's Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Wednesday that he is launching an investigation into the popular social media app, according to a press release issued by his office.
The investigation is looking into whether TikTok knowingly promotes its platform to children and young adults despite the associated risks to physical and mental health.
"Our children are growing up in the age of social media – and many feel like they need to measure up to the filtered versions of reality that they see on their screens," Attorney General Bonta said.
"We know this takes a devastating toll on children's mental health and well-being. But we don't know what social media companies knew about these harms and when," he added.
Bonta is also investigating whether the social media company is violating state consumer protection laws and the techniques TikTok uses to increase young user engagement.
Bonta's office is joined by attorneys general from seven other states that are conducting a bipartisan investigation on the app, including Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.
"As children and teens already grapple with issues of anxiety, social pressure, and depression, we cannot allow social media to further harm their physical health and mental well-being," Maura Healey, the attorney general of Massachusetts, said in a statement.
"State attorneys general have an imperative to protect young people and seek more information about how companies like TikTok are influencing their daily lives," Healey added.
According to the press release, other unspecified attorneys general from across the country are also involved in the investigation.
The spokesperson added that the company has taken measures to limit certain platform features so users can "enjoy content based on age-appropriateness or family comfort."
The move by the attorneys general comes as social media platforms like Instagram and parent company Meta are facing intense scrutiny in Washington.
In 2021, former Facebook employee Frances Haugen leaked internal documents that illuminated how Instagram has long been aware of its detrimental effects on its female teen demographic – specifically where body image issues are concerned – and continued to promote usage anyway.
Haugen publicly spoke on the matter back in October, when she testified before the United States Senate Commerce Committee's Sub-Committee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security.
"It’s just like cigarettes," Haugen said during the hearing. "Teenagers don’t have good self-regulation. They say explicitly, 'I feel bad when I use Instagram, and yet I can’t stop'."
In other news, the creators of a chilling new horror game say that the title is so disturbing they've been forced to censor it on PlayStation.
Apple has announced updates to AirTags following claims that the coin-sized tracking devices are being used to stalk people.
And TikTok has announced new rules, banning users who deadname or misgender others.
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