Florida's attorney general has taken legal action against TikTok, alleging the platform violates a state statute restricting social media access for children younger than 14. The case was filed in St. Lucie County by Republican James Uthmeier, who contends that TikTok knowingly permits underage users onto its service while downplaying exposure to violent or sexual material.
Uthmeier stated that TikTok deliberately misleads parents and exposes minors to inappropriate content that breaks Florida law. "We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children's safety," he said in a statement. The ByteDance-owned platform is facing demands that it restructure operations to comply with the legislation, plus monetary penalties.
TikTok responded that it has been coordinating with the state's legal authority and has notified users under 14 in Florida that their accounts will be deactivated. The company noted it continues rolling out platform modifications aligned with state requirements. "We are evaluating the state's complaint and are prepared to defend our strong record on minor safety," a TikTok representative stated.
Floridian regulators have already pursued comparable action against other platforms. In 2025, the state sued Snap over similar allegations, claiming Snapchat illegally includes features designed to captivate young users and permits accounts for those aged 13 or below. A federal judge subsequently deemed portions of the underlying legislation unconstitutional, though that ruling remains suspended while Florida contests the decision.
TikTok faces parallel legal challenges nationally, with more than 25 state attorneys general pursuing lawsuits. Additionally, the platform, Meta Platforms, and Alphabet confront thousands of claims from individuals and educational institutions asserting harm to youth mental health. The companies have consistently denied wrongdoing, emphasizing their safety measures. A recent Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in one such case, while TikTok settled before trial and agreed to pay Kentucky's school district $8 million in another instance.
