A coalition of 14 U.S. states, led by bipartisan attorneys general, has filed lawsuits against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of contributing to a growing mental health crisis among teenagers. The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s addictive features are harmful to young users and that the company has misled the public regarding the platform’s safety for children.

The legal action, initiated in New York, alleges that TikTok encourages compulsive usage through notifications, disappearing videos, and beauty filters that exacerbate self-image issues. It also cites dangerous "challenges" circulating on the platform, such as "subway surfing," which led to the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy in Manhattan. New York Attorney General Letitia James emphasized that TikTok is far from the "safe" platform it claims to be, adding that the app’s impact is leaving young users more anxious and depressed.

TikTok responded, calling the lawsuits "disappointing" and rejecting the accusations as "inaccurate and misleading." The company highlighted efforts to introduce screen time management tools and content moderation, but the lawsuit contends that these measures have been misrepresented in terms of their effectiveness.

The lawsuit also raises concerns about TikTok’s virtual currency system, accusing the platform of running an unlicensed money transmission business.

This is not the first legal action TikTok has faced. Several U.S. states, including Texas and Utah, have previously filed lawsuits regarding child safety. Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission accused TikTok of violating child privacy laws earlier this year.

As TikTok remains popular among more than half of U.S. teens, the legal challenges continue to mount. Experts like Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, believe these lawsuits may help raise awareness among parents but also stress that legislative changes are necessary to bring about significant change.

The attorneys general involved are seeking financial penalties and a court order to stop TikTok’s harmful practices. The case is part of a larger movement, with regulators also targeting other social media giants like Facebook and Instagram for their role in affecting the mental health of young people.