Another significant development on Tuesday over the role of social media in the lives of children. California Attorney General Rob Bonta – joined by several other states – filed legal action against TikTok. The lawsuits claim the social media company is deliberately preying on kids with algorithms to keep them hooked.
Attorney General Bonta said there are 16 million users of TikTok in California and about one-third of all kids between the ages of 13 and 17 use the service. The lawsuits aim to stop the company from using algorithms that Bonta said can be damaging to the mental health of kids.
“They have promoted a platform and a business model that preys on the proclivity of young people to use the TikTok platform in a way that is addictive, excessive, and compulsive,” Bonta said at a Tuesday news conference in San Francisco.
Now Bonta – along with attorneys general in 13 other states – are laying out in lawsuits …