Florida Sues TikTok Over Child Safety

Florida has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of violating state law by allowing children under 14 to create accounts and exposing young users to harmful content.

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the legal action on Monday, alleging that TikTok knowingly permits underage users to access the platform and misleads parents about the amount of violent and sexual content minors may encounter.

The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring TikTok to comply with Florida’s social media restrictions, as well as financial penalties.

TikTok rejected the allegations, saying it has worked with state officials and has already informed users under 14 in Florida that their accounts would be suspended. The company said it is reviewing the complaint and will defend its record on protecting young users.

A National Legal Campaign

The case is part of a broader national legal campaign against social media companies. More than 25 state attorneys general have sued TikTok over claims that its platform is designed to be addictive for children and teenagers, contributing to mental health problems among young users.

TikTok, along with other major platforms, also faces thousands of lawsuits from individuals, families and school districts. Several cases have centred on allegations that social media products encourage excessive use and harm children’s wellbeing.

Florida’s Broader Crackdown

Florida’s lawsuit relies on H.B. 3, a state law that prohibits children under 14 from holding social media accounts and requires parental consent for some users under 16. Although a federal judge previously ruled the law unconstitutional, that decision has been temporarily paused, allowing the state to continue enforcing the measure while the appeal process continues.

The outcome of the case could have significant implications for how social media platforms verify users’ ages and protect minors online.

(With input from Reuters)