Texas AG Sues TikTok for Exposing Minors to Explicit Content

The Epoch Times Header

The app has created ‘rampant body image issues, eating disorders,’ especially among young women, the lawsuit said.

Social media platform TikTok is being sued by the attorney general of Texas for allegedly exposing children to inappropriate material while misleading parents as well as minors about the addictive nature of the app.

“While TikTok has established itself as one of the most popular apps in Texas, it has utterly disregarded the health and safety of Texas minors in the process,” said the Jan. 9 lawsuit filed in the District Court of Galveston County, Texas. “TikTok is rife with profanity, sexual content, violence, mature themes, and drug and alcohol content. In an investigation of TikTok, the State discovered virtually endless amounts of extreme and mature videos presented to minors as young as thirteen—some with millions of views.

“Much of this content would shock the conscience of an individual of any age, let alone impressionable minors.”

The lawsuit accused TikTok of “specifically” targeting its app toward minors, designing it to be “addictive.” The app’s “endless” scroll of videos is aimed at hooking users into “a dreamlike state of content consumption,” and this addictive use is a core element of the company’s business model as it ensures more advertisements and “massive” profits, the lawsuit argues.

TikTok has “affirmatively lied” about the addictive nature of the app, thus misleading parents and minors in Texas, the complaint alleges.

Tiktok targets minors as evidenced by its 12+ age rating in the Apple App Store even though the company could have selected 17+, the complaint said. In Google Play and Microsoft app stores, TikTok claimed the “T for Teen” ratings. When parents or children consider whether to download the app, they are exposed to these ratings that depict TikTok as being suitable for minors.

According to TikTok, the app is available to individuals aged 13 and above. Some of the features on the app “may not be available” to users until they hit 16 or 18 years of age.

For users between the ages of 13 and 15, the account is “set to private by default,” the company states.

By Naveen Athrappully

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Lefty Activist Judges are Obstructing Trump’s Presidency

Activist judge’s ruling to block President Donald Trump from being able to execute his Constitutional Article 2 Powers pose a real “Constitutional crisis”.

France’s Next Quarterly Nuclear Drills Might Become Prestige-Building Exercises With Poland

Europe wonders what form Macron’s plans to extend his nuclear umbrella over the continent could take, considering risks entailed after Moscow’s negative reaction.

RFK Jr. Nukes HHS ‘Research’ Grants Designed to Stamp Out ‘Vaccine Hesitancy’

RFK Jr. must be waiting to get data firmly on his side before yanking COVID shots off the market and delivering pharmaceutical criminals to the DOJ.

An Actual Deep State Coup is Exposed in a CIA Email

Journalist John Solomon of “Just the News” on Real America’s Voice dropped a BOMBSHELL news report that appears to be old news revisited.

The new economics of compassionatlism

The aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic has seen a global turn to stagflation, in which the cost of good and services increases regardless of economic growth.

News

Johns Hopkins University Laying Off Over 2,000 Workers After Federal Funding Cut

Johns Hopkins University will lay off over 2,000 workers worldwide following Trump admin’s termination of $800 million in federal funding for institution.

American Airlines Plane Catches Fire at Denver Airport, Forces Evacuation

Passengers were forced to evacuate from an American Airlines plane that caught fire on March 13 at Denver International Airport.

Columbia University Expels Some Students Involved in 2024 Hamilton Hall Takeover

Columbia University said its judicial board levied a range of sanctions against students who occupied the building while protesting the Israel-Hamas war.

FBI Director Responds to ‘Alarming Rise’ in Recent Swatting Incidents

FBI Dir. Kash Patel said federal law enforcement bureau is investigating “swatting” incidents that have targeted certain media figures in recent days.

Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Unblock Birthright Citizenship Order

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to roll back multiple preliminary injunctions courts have issued against his EO to restrict birthright citizenship.

NIH Wants to Cap Funding for Indirect Research Costs—What Are They?

NIH is the world’s largest funder of medical research, granting billions to colleges and universities yearly. Trump admin seeks to cap paid overhead costs.

Border Apprehensions of Illegal Immigrants Hit Lowest in History, CBP Says

Number of illegal immigrants apprehended by authorities declined 94% year-over-year under Trump, according to latest figures released by CBP.

98 Protesters Arrested After Occupying Trump Tower to Demand Release of Pro-Palestinian Activist

Police arrested protesters occupying lobby of Trump Tower in NYC, staging demonstration supporting Palestine and against arrest of Mahmoud Khalil.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central