<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3xAiJ9_0w00gXMq00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3xAiJ9_0w00gXMq00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Olivia Williams</figcaption></figure><p>The state of Illinois is suing the social media platform TikTok for allegedly using features to intentionally target children. The Land of Lincoln is one of 13 others pressing forward with these allegations.</p><p>As someone who is an avid user of the app, this is certainly disheartening to hear. Here is what press releases about the lawsuit have said so far.</p><h2>The State of Illinois and 13 Others Sue the Social Media Platform, TikTok</h2><p>According to <a href="https://news.wttw.com/2024/10/08/illinois-among-14-states-suing-tiktok-alleging-social-media-app-targets-kids-addictive">WTTW News</a>, the lawsuits against the app claim that specific design features are being created to make young, vulnerable kids addicted to the platform. They're alleging that scrolling, certain sounding notifications, and filters are impacting children in ways that may have long-term effects.</p><p>Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul states,</p><blockquote><p>The addictive features on TikTok's social media platform interfere with sleep and education, and contribute to depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and thoughts of self harm... I am committed to holding TikTok and any other social media companies accountable for putting profits ahead of our childrens safety and wellbeing.</p></blockquote><p>The social media platform has responded to these claims, denying having any intention of using features to purposely target young children who use the popular app.</p><p>TikTok Spokesman Alex Haurek told the <a href="https://apnews.com/">Associated Press</a>,</p><blockquote><p>We strongly disagree with these claims, many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading. We're proud of and remain deeply committed to the work we've done to protect teens and we will continue to update and improve our product.</p></blockquote><p>The results of the lawsuit will come over time.</p><h2>LOOK: Major US city skylines in photos, then and now</h2><p><a href="https://stacker.com/">Stacker</a> consulted photo archives and the <a href="https://www.ctbuh.org/">Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat</a> to see how 15 U.S. city skylines evolved in the past century.</p><h2>LOOK: The Biggest Healthcare Data Breaches You Should Know About in Illinois</h2><p>Was your hospital hit by hackers? <a href="https://www.drata.com/">Drata</a> used U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services data to identify the top health care data breaches in Illinois last year.</p><h2>Counties with the highest unemployment in Illinois</h2><p><a href="https://www.stacker.com/illinois">Stacker</a> compiled a list of the counties with the highest unemployment in Illinois using data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/lau/">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. Counties are ranked by unemployment rate in June.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

The State of Illinois Sues TikTok For Allegedly Using Features to Target Children

The state of Illinois is suing the social media platform TikTok for allegedly using features to intentionally target children. The Land of Lincoln is one of 13 others pressing forward with these allegations. As someone who is an avid user of the app, this is certainly disheartening to hear. Here...