Massachusetts Attorney General leading nationwide investigation into TikTok

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is leading a nationwide investigation aimed at uncovering more information about TikTok.

Seven other attorneys general from Florida, California, Nebraska, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee and Vermont have joined in on the probe.

The investigation addresses claims that the popular video-sharing app causes physical and mental harm to young people.

Healey said they’ll be looking into the methods and techniques used by TikTok to boost young user engagement.

The announcement came one day after President Biden called on Congress to increase data privacy protections for children and ban digital advertising targeting them.

“It helps parents take a step back and think, this is a serious issue… in serious enough ways that our legal system is willing to investigate it,” said Dr. Ellen Braaten, a licensed child psychologist at Mass General Hospital.

Dr. Braaten believes the message will resonate with families as Massachusetts and the other states scrutinize whether TikTok’s algorithm recommends harmful content to kids and teens to keep them hooked on the app.

“Social media is part of our kids’ lives. It’s not just an add on. It’s part of what they do on a daily basis,” Dr. Braaten told Boston 25 News. “It’s influencing their behaviors and their feelings and their values.”

According to Healey, the investigation is examining whether TikTok violated state consumer protection laws and put the public at risk.

“As children and teens already grapple with issues of anxiety, social pressure, and depression, we cannot allow social media to further harm their physical health and mental wellbeing,” said a statement from Healey.

A TikTok spokesperson sent the following response to Boston 25 News:

“We care deeply about building an experience that helps to protect and support the well-being of our community, and appreciate that the state attorneys general are focusing on the safety of younger users. We look forward to providing information on the many safety and privacy protections we have for teens.”

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