A new lawsuit accuses TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, of deliberately designing the app to be addictive for children, putting them at risk of significant mental health harm in pursuit of profit.
Hawaii Attorney General Annie Lopez and Governor Josh Green announced the complaint on December 3, joining a growing number of states filing social media addiction lawsuits against major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
State officials say many of the 150 million children who use TikTok worldwide live in Hawaii, and that large numbers have been harmed by what they describe as ByteDance’s intentional exploitation of young users. ByteDance, Google, and Meta now face nearly 2,200 youth social media addiction lawsuits nationwide. Families, school districts, and states claim these platforms are engineered to maximize engagement through data-driven algorithms that promote compulsive use—particularly among children and teens.
Most lawsuits are filed by families seeking compensation for anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation linked to excessive social media use. But school districts and state governments, including Hawaii, are also seeking reimbursement for the rising costs of addressing a youth mental health crisis. These expenses include counseling services, crisis intervention programs, and expanded special education resources.
The majority of cases are being handled in federal court under a multidistrict litigation (MDL) before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Northern District of California. Parallel proceedings are also underway in California state court, overseen by Judge Carolyn Kuhl.
Hawaii’s lawsuit, filed in the state’s First Circuit Court, names ByteDance Inc., TikTok Inc., TikTok Ltd., and ByteDance Ltd. as defendants. The state alleges the company intentionally contributed to mental health problems among children.
“The mental health and wellbeing of our keiki must come first,” Governor Green said. “TikTok’s design preys on their vulnerabilities, creating an environment where addiction and anxiety thrive. As leaders, we must protect our youth from platforms that prioritize profit over their health.”
State officials also point out that TikTok has twice been sued by the U.S. government for violating children’s online privacy. They argue the company continues to misrepresent its safety measures and fails to warn families about potential mental health risks. The complaint further alleges that TikTok lacks adequate age verification systems and encourages risky behavior through viral “challenges” that may endanger young users.
Hawaii accuses the company of deceptive and unfair business practices and is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.
Teen Social Media Addiction Lawsuits
In federal court, Judge Rogers has set the first bellwether trials—cases used to test arguments in large-scale litigation—for the summer of 2026. These initial trials will involve school districts claiming they have incurred significant costs to address harms linked to social media addiction, including mental health treatment and academic support. The results are expected to shape how juries respond to similar claims across the country.
Before the federal trials begin, California Superior Court will launch its own proceedings. The first state trial, overseen by Judge Kuhl, is scheduled for January 27, 2026, involving a plaintiff identified as K.G.M.
The early trial outcomes will be closely watched for indications of the strengths and weaknesses in each side’s arguments. They may also influence potential settlement values if the parties negotiate a broader resolution.
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