The popular social media app TikTok has become the new target of a study aimed at revealing whether it harms young users, especially children. TikTok’s impact on kids may be more than you think.
The US-wide investigation, which emerged alongside the Massachusetts Attorney General’s press release, will target how Chinese company ByteDance designs, operates TikTok, and promotes it to children and youth.
TikTok’s impact on children will be investigated
Massachusetts state Attorney General Maura Healey stated that the investigation launched for TikTok will consider whether it adversely affects the physical and mental health of young users.
“As children and young people are already struggling with anxiety, social pressure and depression, we cannot allow social media to further harm their physical and mental health.”
According to Healey, state attorneys general have the right to learn more about protecting young people and how companies like TikTok affect their daily lives. The Attorneys General of California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont are leading the investigation.
TikTok spokesperson stated that they understand the huge investigation launched in the USA. The Chinese application stated that they will provide information about the precautions they take for young users.
“We are deeply committed to creating an experience that helps protect and support the well-being of our community, and we appreciate that state attorneys general’s focus is on the safety of young users. We look forward to providing information on the many security and privacy protections we have for teens.”
The news of the investigation came after US President Joe Biden asked social media platforms to improve data privacy for children.
Former US President Donald Trump tried to sell TikTok’s US operations to the American company in 2020. However, this acquisition, which went back and forth between companies such as Microsoft and Oracle, was shelved by the Biden management in 2021.
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