News Summary
The New York Supreme Court has allowed a lawsuit against TikTok to proceed, initiated by Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 13 state Attorneys General. The suit claims TikTok misled users about its safety and contributed to mental health issues among teenagers, including anxiety and body image problems. The ruling may lead to significant legal consequences for TikTok as it faces growing scrutiny over its impact on youth mental health.
New York State – The New York Supreme Court has ruled against TikTok, denying the company’s motion to dismiss a significant lawsuit concerning the mental health impacts of its platform on young users. The lawsuit, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 13 other state Attorneys General, alleges that TikTok misled the public about its safety and contributed to a worsening mental health crisis among teenagers. The ruling, delivered on May 28, 2025, allows the case to move forward and may set a legal precedent for similar lawsuits against TikTok across the United States.
Attorney General James expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, underscoring the potential dangers TikTok’s features pose to young users. The lawsuit contends that the platform’s design encourages compulsive usage, which has been linked to various mental health disorders among its audience. Specific claims include exacerbated anxiety, body image issues, and troubling user behaviors influenced by trends on the app, such as “subway surfing,” which have led to dangerous situations.
The coalition of Attorneys General is arguing that TikTok has violated state laws by misleadingly advertising the safety of its platform for minors. The complaints cite numerous accounts from users who experience mental health challenges connected to their time spent on TikTok. Furthermore, the legal filings reference internal company documents that imply TikTok knowingly contributed to mental health issues among teenagers while focusing on revenue from targeted advertisements aimed at minors.
TikTok, which currently boasts about 170 million monthly active users in the United States, has firmly disputed the allegations made against it. The company maintains that it has implemented extensive safety measures to protect users, particularly minors, and rejects claims that it has knowingly allowed children under the age of 13 to access the platform without proper parental consent.
The legal battle comes against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny regarding social media’s impact on young people’s mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted concerning statistics showing a correlation between social media use and increased feelings of sadness and hopelessness among teenagers. The lawsuit by the Attorneys General emphasizes that the mental health fallout from social media use represents a pressing public health issue.
As legislative bodies examine the influence of platforms like TikTok, this particular lawsuit carries broader implications that could reshape the regulatory landscape for social media companies. A federal law is slated to ban TikTok starting January 2026 unless the company is sold, amid rising national security concerns. Such developments highlight the urgency and relevance of the arguments being put forth in the current case against TikTok.
The New York Supreme Court’s ruling could embolden other states to pursue similar legal actions, potentially holding TikTok accountable for prioritizing financial gain over the welfare of its young users. The outcome of this case may influence future regulations on digital platforms and the measures they must implement regarding user safety, especially for vulnerable populations.
As the legal proceedings progress, further attention is expected on the potential risks posed by social media, and the balance between user engagement and mental health considerations will likely remain a focal point of public discourse.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- National Law Review
- The New York Times
- CNN
- Reuters
- New York Post
- Wikipedia: TikTok
- Google Search: TikTok lawsuit
