Troubling revelations about TikTok’s priorities have surfaced. Internal documents show that despite knowing its harmful impact on young users’ mental health, TikTok limited measures to prevent harm to avoid losing traffic. This is according to a report by a US public radio station, citing documents from a subpoena in a lawsuit filed by 13 states and Washington D.C.
The lawsuit accuses TikTok of harming young users’ mental health through its addictive recommendation algorithm. It’s alarming that the platform seemingly prioritized user engagement over well-being.
One unnamed executive highlighted concerns about the platform’s effects on “sleep, eating, moving around the room, and making eye contact,” according to the internal communications, which were later ordered to be removed from public records by a state judge.
Research revealed that after watching 260 videos, users became more likely to develop an addiction to TikTok, correlating “compulsive usage” with negative impacts on mental health, such as increased anxiety, loss of analytical skills, and diminished memory and empathy.
Despite the research findings, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, reportedly did not enhance tools designed to limit screen time for younger users. While the app does include features like parental controls and a one-hour timeout for minors, internal discussions indicated a reluctance to prioritize reducing time spent on the platform. A project manager was quoted saying, “Our goal is not to reduce the time spent.”
In response to the revelations, TikTok criticized the publication of sealed court documents, calling it “highly irresponsible.” The company also dismissed the claims, stating, “This complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety.”
This lawsuit comes as TikTok faces potential bans in the U.S. over national security concerns, with allegations that the app allows China’s government to access user data and spread propaganda—claims that TikTok and China strongly deny.
