Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | by DAILY MENTOR NEWS
Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit against social media platform TikTok, accusing the company of exploiting young users with addictive algorithms that are detrimental to their mental health.
Ellison emphasized that the case targets the platform’s manipulative design rather than issues of free speech.
“This is about deception, manipulation, and misrepresentation,” Ellison said. “TikTok knows the dangers of its product but has failed to act responsibly or inform users of the risks.”
The lawsuit, filed in state court, alleges violations of Minnesota’s consumer protection and deceptive trade practice laws. It seeks financial penalties of up to $25,000 per instance a Minnesota child accessed TikTok, along with a permanent injunction against harmful practices.
Sean Padden, a local middle school health teacher, testified to the impact TikTok has had in classrooms, linking its use to a rise in depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and shorter attention spans among students.
TikTok has denied the allegations, stating that its platform includes over 50 safety features and parental controls through its Family Pairing tool designed to protect young users.
This lawsuit follows a broader nationwide investigation involving multiple states addressing concerns about TikTok’s effect on children’s mental health.