Florida sues TikTok over child safety law violations
What's the story
Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging violation of the state's child safety law. The legislation prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 14 to create accounts. The lawsuit was filed in St. Lucie County court and accuses TikTok of knowingly misleading parents while exposing children to harmful content, in direct violation of Florida law.
Company statement
TikTok's response to the lawsuit
In response to the lawsuit, a TikTok spokesperson said that the company has been working with the Attorney General and has already notified users under 14 in Florida about their account suspension. The spokesperson also emphasized that TikTok is continuously updating its platform in Florida as per state law requirements. "We are evaluating the state's complaint and are prepared to defend our strong record on minor safety," they added.
Legal challenges
Lawsuits against TikTok across the US
Beyond Florida, TikTok is also facing lawsuits from over 25 state attorneys general across the US. These lawsuits allege that the platform is designed to be addictive for young users, contributing to a mental health crisis among children and teens. Most of these legal actions have been filed under state consumer protection laws.
Ongoing litigation
Other social media companies facing similar lawsuits
Along with TikTok, other social media giants like Meta Platforms (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) are also facing thousands of lawsuits. These have been filed by individuals and school districts over their alleged negative impact on young users. The companies have denied these allegations and maintain that they take extensive measures to ensure the safety of teens and young users on their platforms.
Legislative action
Details about Florida's H.B. 3 law
The law cited in Florida's lawsuit, H.B. 3, mandates social media platforms to bar users under 14 and require parental consent for those under 16 to open an account. It came into effect in January 2025. This is not the first time Florida has sued a social media company over this issue. In 2025, it sued Snap for illegally using features that addict children and opening accounts for those aged 13 and younger.