“TikTok knowingly deceives parents,” AG James Uthmeier said. “…We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against TikTok on Monday, accusing the social media platform of violating state law by allowing children under 14 to create accounts and exposing young users to harmful content.
The lawsuit, filed in St. Lucie County, seeks financial damages and a court order requiring TikTok to comply with social media restrictions in Florida.
"TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law," Uthmeier said in a statement. "We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children's safety."
The suit centers on Florida's H.B. 3, which took effect in January 2025 and prohibits children under 14 from having social media accounts while requiring parental consent for users under 16. TikTok said it has been working with the attorney general's office and has already begun suspending accounts belonging to users under 14 in Florida, per Reuters.
"We are evaluating the state's complaint and are prepared to defend our strong record on minor safety," a TikTok spokesperson said.
The latest legal challenge comes as TikTok faces mounting scrutiny nationwide over concerns that its platform is addictive for young users and contributes to mental health problems among children and teenagers.
More than two dozen state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against the company, while parents, school districts, and individuals have launched thousands of additional legal claims against TikTok and other social media giants.
Meta and Google have faced similar accusations over Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Earlier this year, a California jury found Meta and Google negligent in a lawsuit brought by a woman who said she suffered depression and anxiety after becoming addicted to social media as a child. TikTok settled its portion of the case before trial.
Florida has also pursued legal action against Snapchat, accusing the platform of using addictive features and allowing underage users to access harmful material.
The constitutionality of Florida's social media law remains under dispute. A federal judge previously blocked enforcement of H.B. 3 after finding it likely violated the First Amendment. However, that ruling has been temporarily paused while the state appeals, allowing Florida to continue enforcing the law.
TikTok's latest legal battle adds to the platform's ongoing challenges in the United States, where lawmakers have increasingly raised concerns over children's safety, social media addiction, and the app's ties to Chinese parent company ByteDance.
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