Internal TikTok Documents Reveal Concerns Over Impact on Youth Mental Health Amid Lawsuit

 

Internal documents from TikTok have surfaced, revealing that the platform was aware of its negative effects on young users' mental health but limited its preventive measures to maintain traffic, according to a report by a U.S. public radio station on Friday, October 11.

These documents, referenced in a subpoena issued by the Kentucky attorney general, are part of a lawsuit involving 13 states and Washington D.C. against TikTok. The lawsuit alleges that the platform’s recommendation algorithm contributes to addictive behavior, ultimately harming young users' mental health. The algorithm continuously presents users with a stream of short videos, which the lawsuit claims plays a key role in this addiction.

One TikTok executive expressed concerns over the platform’s impact on user behavior, including disruptions to sleep, eating habits, physical activity, and social interactions like making eye contact. These concerns were outlined in internal communications, which were later removed from public access by court order.

Research indicated that after viewing around 260 videos, users were more likely to develop an addiction to the app. The study linked “compulsive usage” to a range of negative mental health effects, including heightened anxiety, reduced memory, decreased empathy, and a loss of critical thinking skills.

Despite these findings, TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, reportedly did not implement significant changes to curb screen time for younger users. While TikTok offers features like parental controls and a one-hour timeout for minors, internal discussions suggested there was little desire to reduce user engagement. One project manager was quoted saying, "Our goal is not to reduce the time spent."

In response to the report, TikTok criticized the release of the sealed court documents, calling it "highly irresponsible." The company also rejected the allegations, stating, “This complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety.”

This legal battle comes as TikTok faces broader scrutiny, including potential bans in the U.S. due to national security concerns. The app has been accused of allowing the Chinese government to access user data and spread propaganda—allegations that both TikTok and China strongly deny.