Alabama AG Criticizes TikTok’s Safety Measures for Children

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed concerns that TikTok lacks adequate protections for children using the app.

In a statement on Tuesday, he announced legal action against TikTok Inc. and its parent company, Bytedance Inc., claiming the platform exploits children, features harmful content, and misrepresents its safety measures.

“Today, we are standing with parents across Alabama to advocate for our children,” he said. “TikTok targets young users and poses significant risks, while misleading parents about the app’s safety. Their so-called ‘safety features’ are ineffective—a ploy that misleads trusting parents. Alabama families deserve the truth, and we are committed to ensuring they receive it.”

The lawsuit, filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court, seeks to hold TikTok responsible for exacerbating the mental health crisis among young people in the state.

The complaint notes that over a third of daily users in the U.S. are under 14 years old. It argues that TikTok’s capture of the youth market is no accident but a result of a calculated strategy. The lawsuit highlights that the app is ultimately run by a Chinese company focusing on gathering extensive user data.

Marshall’s filing claims that TikTok’s algorithm continually exposes minors to harmful content that encourages depression, eating disorders, self-harm, substance abuse, and dangerous viral challenges.

Moreover, it criticizes TikTok’s safety features, such as “kids mode” and “restricted mode,” labeling them as ineffective and easily bypassed, which leaves children susceptible to exploitation and harmful content. The platform reportedly rarely restricts inappropriate adult material.

He further stated, “We cannot overlook the serious problems posed by this platform. TikTok is operated by a Chinese company that is mining sensitive American data. They are deliberately compromising our children’s safety while spying on American information.”

The lawsuit aims to impose civil penalties under Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking both compensatory and punitive damages along with injunctions to halt false claims about the app’s safety for young users.