Florida has sued TikTok over claims the platform is allowing children under 14 to create accounts and exposing them to violent and sexual content, in direct violation of state law, Reuters reported.
The lawsuit was filed by Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier, who accuses TikTok of deceiving parents and disregarding child safety in favour of profit. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritise profit over children’s safety.”
The complaint seeks a court order requiring TikTok to comply with Florida’s H.B. 3, a law that bars social media platforms from allowing users under 14 to open accounts and requires parental consent for users under 16. The law took effect in January 2025.
TikTok rejected the allegations, saying it has been working with Florida officials and has already informed users under 14 that their accounts will be suspended.
“We are evaluating the state’s complaint and are prepared to defend our strong record on minor safety,” a company spokesperson said.
Reuters reports that TikTok is already facing lawsuits from more than 25 state attorneys general who claim the platform was designed to be addictive to young users and contributed to a mental health crisis among children and teenagers.
The case adds to mounting legal pressure on social media companies as states push for tougher safeguards and demand proof that child safety ranks above user growth and profit.
TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance.
