Florida has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the social media platform is violating the state’s child safety law by allowing minors to access its services and exposing them to harmful content, according to a Reuters report.
The case, brought by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, claims TikTok is in breach of a state law that prohibits children under 14 from creating accounts and requires parental consent for older teens. The lawsuit alleges that the platform continues to allow underage users to sign up, bypassing these restrictions.
Florida authorities have also accused TikTok of misleading parents about the nature of content available on the app. According to the complaint, the platform downplays the exposure of young users to harmful material, including violent or inappropriate content.
The lawsuit seeks a court order to compel TikTok, owned by ByteDance, to comply with the law, along with potential financial penalties and damages.
Also read: The UK bans social media for children under 16: All you need to know
In response, TikTok said it has been engaging with state authorities and has begun notifying users under 14 in Florida about account suspensions, while continuing to evaluate the legal complaint.
The case is part of a broader wave of legal scrutiny facing social media companies across the United States. TikTok, along with platforms owned by Meta such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as Snapchat, has also been dealing with multiple lawsuits alleging addictive design practices and negative impacts on young users’ mental health.
Florida’s action reflects growing regulatory pressure on Big Tech to strengthen safeguards for minors, particularly as concerns mount around screen addiction, online safety and content exposure among children and teenagers.
The lawsuit could set a precedent for enforcement of state-level social media laws, at a time when regulators across the US are increasingly moving to hold platforms accountable for how they design and operate their services for younger audiences.
First Published on June 16, 2026, 09:05:51 IST
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