California and seven other states are leading an investigation into TikTok for promoting its social media platform to children and teens despite potential mental and physical health risks for its young users.
Attorney General Rob Bonta and his counterparts in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont announced on Wednesday they are leading a nationwide probe into the company over potential violations of consumer protection laws.
Investigators will examine if TikTok knew about the harms the platform could cause its young users, as well as the company's efforts to increase users' time on TikTok and their engagement with it.
"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," Bonta said in a statement. "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. Our nationwide investigation will allow us to get much-needed answers and determine if TikTok is violating the law in promoting its platform to young Californians."
Bonta and the same seven other attorneys general announced in November they were leading an investigation into Meta's Instagram for similar reasons, following media reports and Congressional testimony showing younger users had a higher risk of developing mental and physical health problems. The group said on Wednesday the investigation is "joined by a broad group of attorneys general across the country."
A TikTok spokesperson told KCBS Radio in an emailed statement on Wednesday that the company builds "youth well-being into our policies." For instance, TikTok currently restricts, or outright disables, some features for users based on their ages.
"We care deeply about building an experience that helps to protect and support the well-being of our community, and appreciate that the state attorneys general are focusing on the safety of younger users," the spokesperson said. "We look forward to providing information on the many safety and privacy protections we have for teens."
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