Officials launch investigation into TikTok and its potential harm to kids' mental health

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The popular social media app TikTok is under investigation by a bipartisan group of state attorneys general.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said TikTok has been known to harm young users mentally and physically.

He said TikTok could also be violating state consumer-protection laws by targeting young people. The officials will look at techniques TikTok uses to boost engagement, increase time spent on its app and how often kids use it.

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The same group is leading an investigation into Facebook parent Meta for allegedly promoting Instagram to young users despite knowledge of its potential harms. 

And this crusade against social media is picking up steam across the country. 

President Joe Biden explicitly called for a ban on targeted advertising to children on social media during his State of the Union address. 

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