New Jersey Attorney General, Gurbir Grewal, has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the popular social media platform is harmful to the health of youth in the state. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok has been promoting dangerous challenges and content that can have negative effects on the mental and physical well-being of young users.
The lawsuit cites examples of harmful challenges that have gone viral on TikTok, such as the “Benadryl challenge” which encouraged teenagers to take excessive amounts of the allergy medication in order to experience hallucinations. Grewal argues that TikTok has been negligent in monitoring and removing harmful content from its platform, putting the health and safety of New Jersey youth at risk.
In a statement, Grewal emphasized the need for social media companies to take responsibility for the content they allow on their platforms, especially when it comes to protecting young users. He called on TikTok to implement better safeguards to prevent the spread of harmful challenges and content that could put the health and well-being of youth at risk.
TikTok has faced criticism in the past for its handling of harmful content, with concerns raised about the platform’s impact on mental health and body image among young users. The lawsuit filed by Grewal represents a significant step in holding social media companies accountable for the content they host, particularly when it comes to protecting vulnerable populations like youth.
In response to the lawsuit, TikTok has stated that they take the safety of their users seriously and have implemented measures to promote a positive and safe environment on the platform. However, the Attorney General’s office remains committed to ensuring that TikTok takes stronger action to protect the health and well-being of New Jersey youth.
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