TikTok is under fire once more, this time for the state of Montana. Utah has now filed a lawsuit against the site this time. The state claims that the software engages kids in potentially detrimental social media habits in addition to misleading users about its safety precautions.
Although Utah is not the first state to pursue such action—Arkansas and Indiana have previously brought similar lawsuits—it does draw attention to a pressing issue that needs to be discussed nationally. The Utah action may be the turning moment for a shift in national policy as the U.S. Supreme Court mulls the validity of state legislation on social networking sites.
TikTok states that it has implemented 60-minute time limits for children
The complaint was filed shortly after Utah became the first state in the United States to enact regulations intended to prevent kids and teenagers from using social media applications like TikTok excessively. Utah will become a leader in this regulatory field when these rules, which are scheduled to be implemented next year, create digital curfews and demand parental authorization for children.
While some claim that new regulations would violate children’s privacy, perhaps having an adverse effect on vulnerable populations like LGBTQ adolescents, it is difficult to deny the mounting public health concerns. Children who spend more than three hours per day on social media may be twice as likely to experience negative results in their mental health, according to studies cited in the complaint. Sean Reyes, the attorney general of Utah, claims that the app’s algorithm acts as a “cruel slot machine” that hooks young brains in light of these alarming numbers.
As a result, TikTok asserts to have already put safety precautions in place, such as a 60-minute duration limit for users under the age of 18. The Utah complaint calls for more, including further fines, penalties, and even changes to the app’s “destructive behavior.” Follow the situation as it develops to learn about any upcoming changes.