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In a bold legal move, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, accusing them of deliberately designing the app to be addictive, particularly for younger users. The lawsuit, filed on January 17, 2025, in the Richmond City Circuit Court, comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children and the potential misuse of personal data.
According to WRIC ABC news, the central claim in Miyares’ lawsuit is that TikTok was created with the intention of hooking adolescent users. He alleges that the app's addictive features, specifically its algorithm, encourage prolonged engagement, making it difficult for young users to stop scrolling. According to Miyares, the addictive nature of the platform has a direct, harmful impact on children’s mental health and well-being.
Additionally, Miyares argues that TikTok has misled both parents and the public about the app’s content. The lawsuit claims that TikTok falsely portrays itself as being suitable for children over the age of 12, even though its algorithm is designed to promote potentially harmful or inappropriate content. This alleged deception, Miyares says, violates the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, a law that seeks to protect consumers from unfair and misleading business practices.
Another key element of the lawsuit is Miyares’ accusation that TikTok has not been transparent about the app’s ties to the Chinese government. The Virginia Attorney General seeks to hold the platform accountable for misleading the public about its connection to ByteDance, a Chinese-owned company, and the potential for misuse of American users' data. TikTok has repeatedly denied allegations that it shares user data with the Chinese government, but concerns about privacy and data security continue to fuel debate over the app’s operations in the United States.
This lawsuit is the latest in a series of actions taken by Miyares to regulate the popular social media platform. The Attorney General has previously filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, supporting a federal law that could ban TikTok from U.S. app stores unless ByteDance sells the company. Miyares expressed satisfaction with the Court’s decision to uphold that law on Friday, signaling his ongoing commitment to addressing the perceived dangers posed by TikTok and similar platforms.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the case is likely to spark wider debates on the role of social media companies in influencing young users, the ethics of addictive app design, and the safety of personal data in a digital age. Miyares’ legal action comes at a time when lawmakers, parents, and advocacy groups are increasingly scrutinizing social media’s impact on children and adolescents.
While the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, it adds to a growing body of legal challenges faced by TikTok in the U.S. As this high-profile case develops, it could set a precedent for how social media platforms are regulated, particularly in terms of their responsibility to protect young users and ensure transparency about data collection practices.
If you're concerned that your child may be addicted to social media, reach out to Avenues Recovery. We can help you assess whether your loved one is struggling with addiction and guide you on how best to assist them. Addiction wreaks havoc when left untreated, so be courageous and take the first step to help your loved one (or yourself). Contact our admissions team at any time, day or night, and begin the journey to hope and healing.