Quick answer
Families are suing ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, alleging the endless “For You” feed and easily bypassed age checks and parental controls were designed to keep children watching, harming their mental health. ByteDance is a defendant in the federal social media MDL (No. 3047). Children who used TikTok before 18 may qualify.
Why families are suing ByteDance
The lawsuits allege that TikTok was built to maximize the time young users spend on it, that the company knew about the risks to children and teens, and that it did not warn parents. ByteDance denies these claims.
- The "For You" feed, an endless stream ranked by what keeps each child watching
- A design that makes it hard to notice how much time has passed
- Age checks and parental controls that children can easily get around
- Notifications that bring users back
Who may qualify
- Your child used TikTok regularly, starting before age 18
- Your child experienced depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, self-harm, sleep problems or another serious harm
- No diagnosis? Heavy use of 20 or more hours a week on one platform may support an exposure claim
- Families of a young person who died by suicide after heavy social media use
Not a class action
This is not a class action. Every child’s case is filed in the child’s name, valued on the child’s own facts, and never settled without the family’s written agreement.
What it costs
Nothing up front. The lawyers are paid a percentage of any recovery under a written contingency fee agreement. If there is no recovery, there is no attorney fee.
Common questions
Can I sue TikTok for my child’s addiction?
Families whose child used TikTok heavily before 18 and was harmed are bringing claims. Even without a diagnosis, 20 or more hours a week may support an exposure claim.
Is this a class action?
No. Each child’s case is handled individually: filed in the child’s name, valued on the child’s own facts, and never settled without the family’s written agreement.
Does it cost anything to have my case reviewed?
No. The case check is free and confidential. If you hire the firm, the lawyers are paid only from a recovery under a written contingency fee agreement. No recovery, no attorney fee.
Sources: U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal., MDL 3047 order on motions to dismiss (Nov 14, 2023); MDL Update, MDL 3047 status (Oct 2026). Attorney advertising by Grove and Associates PLC; responsible attorney Justin Grove. Results in other cases don’t predict the outcome of yours. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.