SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Social media has become a fun way for people to interact with others and express themselves, but is it messing with people’s heads? Attorneys general in New Jersey and several other states are looking into the impact the apps are having on kids.
Attorney General Matt Platkin is co-leading the multi-state investigation to see if platforms like Instagram and TikTok are contributing to a decline in mental and physical well-being for young users.
There are concerns from parents and health experts that kids may be developing serious psychological issues because of social media.
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The investigation centers on techniques used by companies to increase the frequency and duration of time spent on the app, as well as what executives know about potential harms from social media use, especially among kids and teens.
Platkin said if those apps are putting kids at risk, they will be held accountable.
Other states co-leading the investigation include Nebraska, California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Vermont. Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the commonwealth has joined the coalition of states participating in the probe as well.
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“Parents and children deserve to know the risks associated with these platforms,” Shapiro said in a statement. “If TikTok is found to have prioritized business growth over the physical and emotional well-being of Pennsylvania’s children, they will be held responsible for that.”
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