More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday, alleging that the short-form video app harms the mental health of young people by designing its platform to be addictive. children.

The cases are from a national search on TikTokwhich was launched in March 2022 by a partnership of two attorneys from many states, including New York, California, Kentucky and New Jersey. All complaints were filed in national courts.

At the heart of each case is TikTok’s algorithm, which enhances what users see on the platform by filling the main “For You” feed of the app with content tailored to people’s interests. Cases also highlight design features that they say make kids addicted to the platform, such as the ability to scroll endlessly through content, push notifications that come with built-in “buzzes” and filters face that creates an unattainable appearance for users.

In its filings, the District of Columbia called the algorithm “dopamine-inducing,” and said it was intentionally designed to be addictive so the company could trap more young users into using it excessively and keep them in the loop. its device many hours. TikTok is doing this despite knowing that this behavior will lead to “serious mental and physical harm,” such as anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia and other long-lasting problems, to said the complaint.

“There’s merit in the fact that it’s engaging young people on its platform,” District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb said in an interview.

“We strongly disagree with these allegations, many of which we believe are inaccurate and misleading. We are proud of and remain committed to the work we have done to protect young people, and we will continue to improve and improve our product,” said TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek in response to the allegations. “We tried to work with lawyers for more than two years, and it is very disappointing that they have taken this step instead of working with us to resolve the industry’s problems.”

The social media firm does not allow children under the age of 13 to sign up for its core service and blocks some content for anyone under the age of 18. But Washington and several other states have said in their filing that children can easily circumvent those restrictions, allowing them to get the service. adults use despite the company’s claims that its platform is safe for children.

“TikTok says it’s safe for young people, but that’s not true. In New York and across the country, young people have died or been injured doing dangerous TikTok challenges and many others feel sad, worried and depressed because of the addictive features of TikTok,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.

Their case also focuses on other aspects of the company’s business.

The district accuses TikTok of operating as an “unlicensed economy” by allowing people to buy TikTok coins – the currency available within the platform – and sending “Gifts” to people who stream on TikTok LIVE they can withdraw it with real money. TikTok takes a 50% commission on these financial transactions but has not been registered as a money transfer with the US Treasury Department or state authorities, according to the complaint.

Officials say young people are regularly targeted for sexually explicit content on TikTok’s LIVE streaming service, which has allowed the app to act as a “virtual strip club” without age restrictions. They say reducing the company from the financial system to allow it to profit by exploitation.

The 14 attorneys said the purpose of their lawsuits is to prevent TikTok from using these features, impose financial penalties for their illegal practices and collect damages for injured users.

Many countries have filed lawsuits against TikTok and other technology companies in the past few years as numbers grow against social media platforms and their growing influence on young people’s lives. In some cases, the challenges are linked in the same way that countries were organized against the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries.

Last week, the Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton sued TikTok, saying the company is sharing and selling children’s personal information in violation of a new state law that prohibits these practices. TikTok, which disputes the charges, is also fighting a similar lawsuit involving data brought up in August by the Justice Department.

Several Republican-led states, such as Nebraska, Kansas, New Hampshire, Kansas, Iowa and Arkansas, have also sued the company, others are unsuccessfulwith allegations that it damages the mental health of children, exposes them to “inappropriate” material or allows young people to be sexually abused on its platform. Arkansas has brought a legal challenge against YouTube, along with Meta Platform, which owns Facebook and Instagram and has been sued by many states for its claims of harming the mental health of young people. New York City and other public school districts have also brought their own lawsuits.

TikTok, in particular, is facing some challenges at the national level. Under federal law that went into effect earlier this year, TikTok could be banned from the US by mid-January if its China-based parent company ByteDance does not sell the platform by then.

Both TikTok and ByteDance are challenging the law in a Washington appeals court. A panel of three judges heard oral arguments in a trial last month and is expected to issue a ruling, which could be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.

The novena will be completed on Oct. 18, the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the saint of health care.

The US bishops announced the second annual novena for mental health as part of a national campaign to promote mental health.

Founded in 2023, the National Campaign for Catholic Mental Health was committed to addressing mental illness around the message that “everyone who needs help should get help.”

Starting on World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) “will begin nine days of focused prayer, education, and actionable steps to engage more intentionally in mental health issues,” according to the USCCB Sept. . 23 news release. The novena will be completed on Oct. 18, the feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, the saint of health care.

The novena will be a tradition for years to come, said Paul Jarzembowski, USCCB’s associate director for members of the Laity Secretariat, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

Jarzembowski told CNA that the Church wants to “follow Jesus’ example of responding to the needs of God’s people in real time.”

“Today mental health affects the lives of so many people, which was reinforced and raised in our minds by the global epidemic,” he explained. “The bishops of the United States have also noted the growing epidemic of loneliness throughout the country, especially among the young, the elderly and the disadvantaged.”

Jarzembowski said: “People feel pain all around us at this time, even if we don’t see it. “Through this nationwide campaign, the US bishops are asking everyone to join them in respond with greater awareness and action as the mental health crisis unfolds before us every day.”

Each day of the novena has a different theme and focuses on a different saint. For example, Day 1 of the novena begins with St. Dymphna, the patron saint of those with mental illness and mental health professionals, and focuses on praying to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

The purpose of the novena is to build “a lasting way for all Catholics to remember in prayer those affected by this disaster and respond to Jesus’ call to respond to those who are struggling with simple care and pastoral action,” said Jarzembowski. .

The hope is that the campaign and the novena “will be integrated with our families, our churches and our work in the community,” according to Jarzembowski.

When asked what steps Catholics can take to better support people with mental health problems, Jarzembowski suggested “being more aware of potential mental health issues.” ” and taking care “that he may be hidden where he may be seen.”

“Cultivating the habits of compassion and tolerance for one another, especially online, can go a long way in creating a culture of spiritual and mental health,” he continued. “Be aware of the signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, loneliness and anxiety, and go with people who are struggling to find the help and support they may need.”

Each day of the novena includes actions that Catholics can take to help address mental health issues.

Jarzembowski added: “In our parishes and Catholic churches, we can advocate for more mental health services. “From creating mental health support groups to researching health care practices in our community to instilling a spirit of mental health into our ministry, especially for young people, families and the elderly, there are many things Catholics can do to create a habit of response.”

Resources for the mental health campaign, including the novena, can be found here.