New Hampshire Lawsuit Against TikTok Over Addictive Design Moves Forward

A New Hampshire judge has allowed the state's lawsuit against TikTok to proceed, focusing on allegations that the platform deliberately employs addictive design features targeting children. Attorney General John Formella hailed the decision as a critical MOVE toward accountability. Superior Court Judge John Kissinger Jr. found the state's arguments sufficiently clear, centering on platform design rather than user-generated content.

The lawsuit claims TikTok's design intentionally prolongs engagement among younger users, increasing exposure to ads and driving purchases through TikTok Shop. This legal action mirrors broader scrutiny of social media platforms, with Meta and Discord facing similar accusations regarding child safety and mental health impacts.

Legislative efforts like the reintroduced Kids Online Safety Act aim to hold platforms legally responsible for harm to minors. TikTok's legal challenges are part of a wider regulatory push, including President Biden's 2024 law addressing platform accountability.