Florida
Florida Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against TikTok Over Minors’ Social Media Use
Attorney General James Uthmeier is seeking damages from TikTok, claiming the tech giant is not complying with Florida’s 2024 social media ban for minors. Uthmeier filed a civil lawsuit against TikTok Monday, asking a state trial court to declare the…
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Key points
- Florida Attorney General files lawsuit against TikTok for not complying with minors’ social media law.
- The lawsuit seeks to declare TikTok a public nuisance and impose fines for violations.
- Local parents and officials may need to be more vigilant about children’s online safety.
NewsWK — Pensacola and Escambia County residents may soon see implications from a new lawsuit filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier against TikTok. The lawsuit, initiated on June 15, 2026, alleges that the popular social media platform is failing to comply with Florida’s 2024 law requiring parental consent for minors aged 14 and 15 to use social media apps.
Uthmeier argues that the pervasive and compulsive use of social media, particularly among young users, poses a significant risk to children and teens. The lawsuit seeks to label TikTok as a public nuisance under state law for not adhering to the regulations aimed at protecting young users from potentially harmful content.
A TikTok spokesperson responded by stating the company has been engaging with the Attorney General’s office and is taking steps to comply with local laws, including notifying users under 14 that their accounts would be suspended. The spokesperson emphasized that TikTok prioritizes safety, offering numerous privacy settings for teens and parental controls.
The 2024 law, enforced after legal deliberations concluded in November 2025, prohibits social media companies from allowing children under 13 to access apps with addictive features, such as endless scrolling and autoplay videos. This lawsuit marks the first legal action taken by the state against a company for non-compliance since the law’s enforcement began.
Uthmeier indicated that TikTok could face substantial financial penalties, potentially amounting to billions in damages. He criticized TikTok for misleading parents and children regarding the nature of content available on the platform, claiming that it often features mature themes, including substance abuse and explicit content, easily accessible to young users.
This legal action could have broader implications for Escambia County’s youth and their online safety. Local officials and parents may need to remain vigilant about the platforms their children use, as the state intensifies its efforts to enforce social media regulations. Uthmeier has suggested that further legislative measures might be necessary to ensure the protection of minors in the digital landscape.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
