TikTok Sued for Violating Child Safety Law by Allowing Under-14 Accounts

Florida has sued TikTok, claiming it violates a state law that bars social media platforms from allowing children under 14 to create accounts.

The lawsuit, filed in state court in St Lucie County, alleges that the platform, owned by ByteDance, knowingly permitted underage users to access the service and misrepresented the extent of violent and sexual content accessible to minors.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier accused TikTok of deceiving parents and exposing children to harmful content, saying the state has “zero tolerance for companies that prioritise profit over children’s safety”.

The state is seeking a court order compelling the company to comply with the law, along with financial damages.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company has been engaging with the attorney general’s office and has already informed users under 14 in Florida that their accounts will be suspended, adding it is updating its platform to comply with state law. The company said it is reviewing the complaint and is prepared to defend its record on minor safety.

Meta Platforms, Snap and other social media firms are also facing extensive litigation across the US over allegations that their platforms are addictive and harmful to young users.

The Florida law at the centre of the case prohibits under-14s from creating accounts and requires parental consent for users under 16. Enforcement has faced legal challenges, with parts of the law temporarily blocked by a federal judge, though the state is currently appealing the ruling.

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