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TikTok Lawsuits

TikTok Lawsuits

People who feel they have been harmed by using TikTok may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Learn more.

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Case Overview

People are filing lawsuits against TikTok over alleged physical and mental health harms. These concerns include addiction, depression and self-harm. Young adults and parents of children impacted by these mental health issues may be eligible to file TikTok lawsuits.

Important updates about TikTok lawsuits

  • February 2025: As of February 3, there were 1,246 actions pending in the social media MDL.
  • October 2024: Several state attorneys general filed lawsuits against TikTok parent company ByteDance. They allege that the company doesn’t take proper steps to protect children and designed TikTok to be addictive. 
  • August 2024: The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a lawsuit may go forward seeking to hold TikTok liable for a challenge that went viral on the platform. The court cited a recent Supreme Court ruling in the ruling. The decision means content recommendations by a social media platform can be seen as an editorial choice instead of simply providing third-party content.
  • July 2024: U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang ruled that TikTok’s request for users’ device data is overly broad. Judge Kang, who is overseeing discovery for the social media MDL, ruled that TikTok’s request for full forensic images of every device used by plaintiffs would be a privacy violation.

Key takeaways about TikTok lawsuits

  • Young adults and parents of teens are filing lawsuits against TikTok’s parent company Bytedance. They allege mental health harms from using the platform.
  • These lawsuits claim that TikTok is designed to addict teens and children for the sake of engagement but it doesn’t adequately address concerns about the mental health issues that arise from the platform’s design. 
  • Many TikTok lawsuits have been and continue to be filed in the social media harm multidistrict litigation.

Why are people filing TikTok lawsuits?

People are filing lawsuits alleging that TikTok is designed to attract and addict children without regard for their mental health. These TikTok mental health lawsuits allege that the compulsive use of the platform is an integral part of its business model. 

The lawsuits argue:

  • TikTok earns more ad revenue when kids use TikTok more, so TikTok has a profit motive to ensure that it keeps them glued to the platform.
  • Kid’s brains don’t have the maturity, impulse control and mental resilience of adults’. As a result, they have a much harder time resisting the designs of platforms like TikTok.
  • TikTok has not warned families about these dangers and did not provide the tools that parents would need to effectively supervise their kids’ use. 

Client profile

One client working with Motley Rice to hold TikTok accountable is a young woman who is now 22. She began using Instagram when she was 10 and TikTok when she was 13. As a result of compulsively using these apps, she developed a severe eating disorder and general anxiety disorder. 

In her senior year of high school, she collapsed during swim practice from dehydration and starvation. Her mental and physical health was so impacted by these conditions she developed from using TikTok and other social media that she missed her freshman year of college. She required months-long treatment before she could continue her education and still struggles with her mental health. She has filed her lawsuit in the social media MDL to fight back against these companies’ misconduct and make sure that other kids don’t suffer the same harm she has. 

Allegations of TikTok’s defective design

Lawsuits against TikTok allege that the platform aggressively encourages young people to use the app but doesn’t have the guardrails that are needed to protect kids’ mental health. Further, the lawsuits allege that TikTok lacks sufficient parental controls and age verification, allowing children under 13 to easily access the platform.

In addition to lacking a strong age verification system, TikTok allows anyone of any age to browse the platform as a guest, regardless of their age. But the platform still collects data and recommends videos, even though the guest may be underage. 

Beyond not protecting minors, the TikTok lawsuits allege that the app is coded to encourage addictive use, which can lead to substantial mental and physical harms. TikTok’s “For You” page is optimized to get users to come back often and stay for as long as possible. 

TikTok has been fine-tuned to keep people engaged, and it is very good at what it does. A study found users interact with the app at twice the rate of other social media platforms. But TikTok doesn’t care whether that interaction is healthy or enjoyable for its users. The app pushes whatever content gets people to continue interacting with it – even if it’s upsetting or otherwise harmful.

TikTok may also harm users through the platform’s image and video filtering features. Young users may use TikTok’s filters to create impossibly idealized versions of themselves, leading them to develop a negative self-image.

What TikTok lawsuits have been filed?

Plaintiffs from across the country have filed lawsuits against TikTok and other social media companies. Currently, there are two main categories of cases:

  1. Individual personal injury lawsuits: These cases are typically filed by parents and guardians of children who have been harmed by social media apps like TikTok. They can also be filed by people who are now adults but began using TikTok as children. Common harms experienced by these plaintiffs include a decline in mental health and development of body image issues.
  2. School district lawsuits: These cases are filed by school districts that have had to shoulder increased costs because their students are compulsively using social media. These include the costs of hiring additional counselors and safety officers, and the costs of property damage to school buildings and property.

Dozens of state attorneys general have also filed lawsuits against social media companies. Like the personal injury and school district lawsuits, the attorneys general allege social media apps were designed to be addictive to children and that the companies misled the public about the harm they were causing.

States file suits for addiction and poor age verification

State attorneys general (AGs) have filed suit against Bytedance. In May 2024, Nebraska’s AG challenged ByteDance’s claims that TikTok is safe for children, arguing that it’s designed to be addictive. The lawsuit claims that TikTok doesn’t adhere to its own community standards.

In October 2024, more than a dozen state attorneys general filed lawsuits against TikTok in. Like the personal injury and school district lawsuits, the attorneys general allege that:

  • TikTok and other social media apps were designed to be addictive to children
  • The companies misled the public about the harm they were causing
  • ByteDance is using a virtual currency that bypasses TikTok’s age verification, which exposes children to financial predators 

The state of Texas also filed a suit in October, accusing ByteDance of violating the state’s new Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s complaint says TikTok’s parental control features don’t meet SCOPE Act requirements for protecting children’s personal data.  

Court allows “blackout challenge suit”

A federal appeals court is allowing a suit from a mother whose daughter died while participating in a “blackout challenge.” The plaintiff’s attorney argued that the platform’s algorithm recommended the content for the girl. She used a purse strap to choke herself as a part of the challenge. 

How does TikTok harm mental health?

TikTok’s algorithm is designed to entice children into watching TikTok for long stretches of time, even if they only intend to stay on for a few minutes. While the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, has a time limit for minors, TikTok (in the U.S.) does not have the same restriction. The longer a child stays on TikTok, the more revenue the platform can generate from them.

But studies have shown that the more time a teenager spends on social media, the more likely that teen will become depressed. Young people are particularly vulnerable to social media addiction because their brains are still developing.

In addition to depression, social media addiction has been linked to:

Need help?

If you or a loved one shows signs of being suicidal, call the United States National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. This free, confidential call will connect you with a trained staff member. You can also visit their website: 988lifeline.org.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of disordered eating, you can contact the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). The toll-free number is 1-800-931-2237, and the website is nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Who is eligible to file a lawsuit against TikTok?

Parents of children and teenagers who have experienced a mental health crisis or exploitation due to TikTok may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Adults who developed mental health conditions after using TikTok as children may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against the platform.

Our attorneys can help you determine if you are eligible to file a TikTok lawsuit. They can also help you gather relevant information, answer questions about the relevant state laws and statutes of limitations for a social media lawsuit and file a claim.

Eligibility

Who can file a social media harm lawsuit? Parents or guardians can file a lawsuit against social media companies on behalf of their minor children who suffered mental health harms such as suicidal ideation, eating disorders and depression requiring hospitalization. Young Adults can also file a lawsuit if they were minors when their trauma was diagnosed or treated.

Contact a TikTok attorney

You may be eligible to file a claim if you or your child has suffered with the detrimental effects of using social media platforms like TikTok.

Contact a TikTok lawyer today

Status of TikTok lawsuits

People can currently file lawsuits against TikTok for injuries they or their children have suffered from the defective design of the app.

Many of these individual lawsuits have been consolidated into a social media multidistrict litigation (MDL). The MDL is known as MDL 3047 In Re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation. 

The MDL is being handled in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. It contains claims against ByteDance (TikTok), Meta (Instagram and Facebook), Snap (Snapchat) and Google (YouTube).

If you’re looking to file a TikTok lawsuit, consider reaching out to a TikTok attorney to explore your legal options.

Important terms about TikTok lawsuits

The social media MDL is a type of mass tort. It is similar to a class action lawsuit but with some key differences:

Mass tort: This is a general term to describe a type of lawsuit where many people allege similar harms or injuries from similar parties, but each person files their own individual lawsuit. MDLs  are ways of handling mass torts.

Multidistrict litigation (MDL): An MDL refers to a way of collecting lawsuits that allege similar injuries against similar defendants into one court system. This consolidation allows for a single judge to oversee the proceedings and helps establish common facts that may be used between lawsuits. While the early proceedings may be consolidated, plaintiffs maintain their individual case. This means the trials and decisions relate to only a single plaintiff at a time.

Class action: A class action lawsuit refers to a single lawsuit filed by one person or a small group of people on behalf of themselves and a larger group. The person or persons filing the lawsuits are known as “class representatives.” The larger group is the “class.” The people in the class, unlike a mass tort, do not file their own individual lawsuit. Class action lawsuits allege similar injuries between all members of the class. If the plaintiffs are successful, any award granted by the court will be divided equally amongst all members of the class. There is no TikTok class action related to mental health.

Section 230: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides some protections from federal liability for publishers of Internet content. Section 230 has often prevented social media platforms from being held liable for harms caused by their products. However, a recent ruling out of the Third Circuit may impact when companies like TikTok may be liable for content on their platform. For now, this ruling does not impact cases in the MDL. The MDL cases allege people are harmed by the design decisions of the platform's creators, not by any content poasted by platform users.

TikTok lawsuit updates and timeline

2.04.25

MDL Reaches more than 1,000 cases filed

More cases continue to be added to the Adolescent Social Media Addiction MDL. There are now 1,246 pending actions, including those against TikTok.

1.02.25

159 more cases added to the social media MDL

The social media harm MDL climbed to 974 pending actions as of January 2. 

12.02.24

Nearly 200 cases added by December 2024

More actions have been filed against ByteDance and other social media organizations in the social media harm MDL. 815 lawsuits were active as of December 2, 2024.

11.01.24

New cases filed in November 2024

More people suffering from social media addiction filed cases, bringing the total number of actions in the MDL to 620.

10.01.24

Pending actions grow in social media MDL

Pending actions grow in social media MDL The social media MDL includes 594 pending actions. In January 2024, there were 393 clients. These numbers include lawsuits against Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube in addition to TikTok.

08.28.24

Court of Appeals reinstates lawsuit

August 2024: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia reinstated a lawsuit filed by a mother after her child died following a challenge that was popular on the app. The Court deviated from similar rulings, saying that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act does not apply to how TikTok recommends content. While this may allow for similar claims to be filed in the Third Circuit, it is not clear what impact, if any, it will have on the social media MDL. Motley Rice does not represent the plaintiff in this Third Circuit case.

07.11.24

Judge rejects defendant's request for device information

July 2024: TikTok had petitioned the Court to receive full forensic images of all devices used by 12 plaintiffs in bellwether trials for the social media MDL. In a hearing with U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang, the Court ruled against TikTok’s motion. The decision found that TikTok had failed to show a compelling enough interest to overcome the plaintiffs’ right to privacy.
 

11.14.23

MDL judge refuses to dismiss plaintiffs' claims

November 2023: Judge Gonzales Rogers partially rejected the Defendants’ motion to dismiss all of the claims in the social media MDL. The Defendants had argued that they had immunity under both the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Judge Gonzales Rodgers held that Section 230 and the First Amendment barred claims against certain aspects of the apps, she refused to dismiss all of the Plaintiffs’ claims. Importantly, she also allowed the entirety of the Plaintiffs’ failure to warn claim to proceed.

11.21.22

Motley Rice attorney appointed co-lean counsel

November 2022: Following the first case management conference, Motley Rice attorney Previn Warren was appointed as co-lead counsel for the social media MDL.  

10.11.22

Social media cases consolidated into MDL

October 2022: A number of federal claims against social media platforms were consolidated into an MDL in the Northern District of California.

View Full Timeline

Frequently asked questions about TikTok lawsuits

Can I file a TikTok lawsuit?

If you are an adult who used the platform as a child and developed a mental health condition because of it, you may be eligible to file a TikTok mental health lawsuit. If you are the parent of a child or teenager who was similarly harmed, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against TikTok.

An attorney can help you sort through the facts of your case and explain your options.

Can I file a lawsuit over harms caused by TikTok challenges?

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act provides companies with some protection from liability for content created by third parties. This makes it difficult for people to sue people over challenges that go viral on the platform.

However, a recent ruling out of the Third Circuit may be a signal that these sorts of lawsuits may face less opposition in the future. U.S. Circuit Judge Patty Shwartz, writing for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, reversed a lower court’s decision that had dismissed a claim against TikTok over Section 230 protections. The Third Circuit found that TikTok could be liable for damages based on how it recommends content.

What does compensation from a social media lawsuit cover?

A lawsuit against social media could cover both “economic” and “non-economic” losses. Economic losses can include:

  • Medical treatments
  • Lost wages
  • Current and ongoing therapy
  • Benefits for wrongful death

Non-economic losses can include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional damage
  • Loss of quality of life

What does a TikTok lawyer do?

A TikTok lawyer can help you if you’re considering filing a mental health lawsuit for yourself or your child. An attorney with experience handling social media harm claims can listen and help you understand what legal options may be available to you. If you’re eligible to file a TikTok lawsuit, they can help represent you in the proceedings.

Motley Rice is accepting clients who are looking to file TikTok lawsuits. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.

Our experience helping families and children

Motley Rice attorneys have worked for decades to seek justice for children and families harmed by corporations, including technology and social media companies. If you need help filing a lawsuit related to TikTok’s effect on the mental health of yourself or a loved one, our law firm can assist.

Learn more about filing a social media lawsuit here.

Key takeaways

Why are people filing TikTok lawsuits?

Client Profile

Allegations of TikTok’s defective design

What TikTok lawsuits have been filed?

How does TikTok harm mental health?

Who is eligible to file a lawsuit against TikTok?

Status of TikTok lawsuits

Important terms about TikTok lawsuits

TikTok lawsuit updates and timeline

Frequently asked questions about TikTok lawsuits

Our experience helping families and children

About the Authors

Sources
  1. CBS News. Nebraska sues TikTok for allegedly targeting minors with "addictive design" and "fueling a youth mental health crisis.”
  2. CNBC. TikTok’s use of casino-like virtual currency to allegedly exploit children faces scrutiny in DC lawsuit.
  3. Law 360. TikTok's Bid For Users' Device Data Found Overbroad.
  4. Newsweek. TikTok Denies Violating Texas Child Safety Law.
  5. Reuters. TikTok must face lawsuit over 10-year-old girl's death, US court rules.
  6. U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Pending MDLs.
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