Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is suing TikTok and its parent company for failing to comply with state laws, including one that restricts minors under age 14 from accessing social media platforms.Uthmeier announced the civil lawsuit on Monday, accusing the company of harming children through social media addiction and misleading parents about the app’s dangerous content.“TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”
The state alleges TikTok is violating Florida’s Online Protections for Minors Act, otherwise known as House Bill 3, by letting children under 14 create accounts and allowing 15 and 16-year-olds to do so without parental consent. The law, enacted at the start of 2025, restricts social media access for minors at those particular ages.
Championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), H.B. 3 marks one of the most restrictive social media laws in the country to date. The bill’s proponents argued it was necessary to protect the mental health of teenagers and pre-teens prone to actively consuming social media. TikTok has previously argued that age restrictions and bans on social media violate free speech protections.
