TikTok is reportedly hit with a latest lawsuit by the state of Iowa, asserting that the social media application's age rating incorrectly presents itself to parents, deceiving guardians about what type of content is accessible within the application for minors and children.
The state takes issue with TikTok's age classification in app stores, according to Tech Crunch. As per Apple, an application with an App Store rating of 12+ may have mature or provocative themes, realistic or cartoon violence, simulated gambling, or frequent or strong mild language.
But as per the lawsuit's own investigation into what a 13-year-old may encounter on the app, the state observes that it effortlessly uncovered female-oriented content on TikTok, such as provocatively dancing in thong bikinis, offering tips on taking psilocybin and marijuana, as well as close-up images of their crotch and other sensitive areas.
Although parents may not be horrified by thong bikinis, the lawsuit also mentions that the AG's office discovered videos endorsing eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide-all harmful types of content that have recently drawn regulatory attention to social media apps.
Harmful Content in TikTok
The Verge adds that Attorney General Bird stated in a statement that TikTok has been hiding information from parents. Bird concludes that by misrepresenting the gravity of its material, TikTok had managed to get past parental controls.
He continues, saying it is time to hold TikTok accountable for exposing young kids to explicit information about sexuality, self-harm, illicit drug use, and other sensitive topics.
TikTok reportedly responded by saying that the Bytedance-owned platform endorses industry-leading youth protection measures, such time limits and parental controls for users under the age of 18. According to TikTok, the company is still committed to solving problems that affect the whole sector and placing community safety first.
Several studies, such as one from the Center for Countering Digital Hate reportedly claimed that in a study about TikTok's algorithm in 2022 the study discovered that certain young users were being exposed to potentially harmful content that might promote eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide.
Concurrently, a 2023 study revealed that 33% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 have viewed real-life violent videos on TikTok.
TikTok's Many Lawsuits
According to reports, Iowa's lawsuit against TikTok comes after earlier lawsuits from Arkansas, Utah, and Indiana because of concerns about child safety. Hundreds of lawsuits against the website for child addiction have also been brought by parents.
However, the business has seen some success in court. Last year, a judge rejected Indiana's complaint, and a federal judge in Montana stopped the state from enforcing the prohibition.
Montana's ban was reportedly supposed to go into force on January 1st, but U.S. On November 30, District Judge Donald Molloy granted a preliminary injunction to stop the prohibition, claiming that Montana's statute exceeds state authority and violates the Constitution in several ways.
Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok, will be reportedly be one of the social media CEOs giving testimony before the U.S. Committee on Senate Judiciary on the online exploitation of minors sexually, as per the South China Morning Post.
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