West Virginia is suing TikTok, accusing the social media company of deliberately designing its platform to keep children hooked while misleading parents about the risks, including exposure to sexual content, dangerous viral challenges, and material promoting self-harm.
The lawsuit, filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court, alleged TikTok’s recommendation algorithm and other features encourage compulsive use among young people, interfering with their sleep, schoolwork, physical activity, and relationships. The state is seeking civil penalties, restitution, and court-ordered changes to the platform’s child safety protections.
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