Recent documents from a lawsuit against the TikTok platform have revealed serious concerns regarding the mental health of teenagers due to excessive use of the app. The documents, revealed by NPR, indicated that TikTok officials were aware that the app’s features could encourage addiction, leading to negative effects on the mental health of users, especially young people and teenagers.
Several states in the US have filed lawsuits against TikTok due to its negative impact on users’ mental health. The Attorney General of Kentucky, Russell Coleman, pointed out that the app was designed to be an “addictive machine” targeting teenagers who are still developing self-control.
The documents reveal that TikTok’s internal studies have linked excessive app usage to issues such as loss of analytical ability, memory decline, and impaired social and cognitive skills, as well as increased anxiety levels. Prolonged use of the app may also lead to sleep disturbances, academic performance decline, and even weakened communication with family and friends.
TikTok’s time management tool aimed at reducing teenagers’ excessive app usage was not significantly effective, as teenagers still spend around 107 minutes daily on the app even after activating this tool, indicating that the company was aware of the tool’s ineffectiveness and that its main goal of launching it was to improve the company’s image in the media.
On the other hand, the documents address the risks of what is known as “filter bubbles,” where users are exposed to continuous negative content after following certain accounts, with the algorithm showing that users may become immersed in these bubbles after 30 minutes of continuous browsing.
The documents also revealed issues with supervision, as internal investigations showed that some underage girls were receiving gifts and coins in exchange for posting inappropriate content, with the company not taking sufficient action to address this issue unless the users’ ages under 13 were confirmed.
Despite these allegations, TikTok spokesperson Alex Hoferek defended the company, stating that the lawsuit relies on misleading quotations and outdated documents taken out of context, affirming that the platform follows strict measures to protect users, including removing suspicious accounts and introducing features for time control and parental supervision.
