MN Joins Investigation Into TikTok's Possible Harmful Effects

ST. PAUL, MN — The state of Minnesota has joined a nationwide investigation into TikTok and its association with physical and mental health harms in children.

Attorney General Keith Ellison and his counterparts across the United States are examining whether TikTok violated state consumer protection laws that put the public — specifically children — at risk.

"My job is to help Minnesotans of all ages live with dignity, safety, and respect. This is why I’ve joined a bipartisan, nationwide investigation into TikTok about its impact on younger users," Ellison said in a news release.

"While I cannot provide detail about an active investigation, we will look into the harms that using TikTok may cause young users, and what TikTok knew about those harms."

The investigation is focused on techniques TikTok has used to boost engagement among young users, including increasing the duration of time and frequency that kids use the app.

A 2021 investigation by the Wall Street Journal found that TikTok "takes note of subtle cues, such as how long you linger on a video, to zero in on what users really want to watch. Over time, the video choices become less mainstream, less vetted by moderators and sometimes more disturbing."

Ellison joins attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont in the investigation.

"Our children are growing up in the age of social media – and many feel like they need to measure up to the filtered versions of reality that they see on their screens," said California Attorney General Bonta.

"We know this takes a devastating toll on children's mental health and well-being. But we don't know what social media companies knew about these harms and when. Our nationwide investigation will allow us to get much-needed answers and determine if TikTok is violating the law in promoting its platform."