TikTok Allegedly Knew the Negative Effects the App Has on Teens

Publish Date : 10/14/2024

Internal TikTok communications, made public for the first time, reveal the company’s lack of concern for the harms posed to American teenagers, despite internal research validating child safety concerns. The material, part of a two-year investigation by 14 state attorneys general, resulted in lawsuits against TikTok, alleging the app is designed to addict young people and it also mislead the public regarding associated risks. Faulty redactions in one lawsuit allowed Kentucky Public Radio to expose internal documents.

These documents highlight TikTok’s internal research found its features contribute to compulsive usage, negatively affecting mental health, and essential responsibilities like sleep and school. Despite recognizing the risks, TikTok’s internal focus was on maintaining user engagement rather than limiting screen time.

The documents also show TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes beauty norms and pushes users into harmful content bubbles, such as eating disorders or self-harm. Moderation policies were inconsistent, with harmful content often not being removed promptly. TikTok was aware of its significant “leakage” of dangerous and violative content, including pedophilia and minor abuse, and was slow to address underage users on its platform.

TikTok defends its child safety practices and criticizes the disclosure of sealed documents, claiming the information misrepresents its commitment to safety. Meanwhile, the platform faces growing scrutiny as new lawsuits and potential regulatory actions target its practices.