When you think of a lawsuit, you might not be picturing a case involving internet algorithms and deceptive trade practices from social media platform companies. But a major lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota against TikTok is highlighting important issues about corporate responsibility and user safety, and the Minnesota TikTok lawsuit could lead to some changes in the way users – especially underage ones – can engage with these platforms.

What’s Happening with the Minnesota TikTok Lawsuit?

Attorney General Keith Ellison has taken a strong stand, alleging that TikTok’s features are intentionally harmful to young users. A lawsuit from the state is “alleging the social media giant preys on young people with addictive algorithms that trap them into becoming compulsive consumers of its short videos,” the Associated Press reported in August 2025.

“This isn’t about free speech. I’m sure they’re gonna holler that,” Minnesota Attorney General Ellison said at a news conference. “It’s actually about deception, manipulation, misrepresentation. This is about a company knowing the dangers, and the dangerous effects of its product, but making and taking no steps to mitigate those harms or inform users of the risks.”

The state isn’t just suing for abstract reasons; it’s using its laws to argue that the platform’s practices are deceptive and causing harm to children’s mental health.

Sean Padden, a middle-school health teacher in the state, joined Ellison at the press conference to say he has witnessed a correlation between higher TikTok use and an “irrefutable spike in student mental health issues,” including depression, anxiety, anger, reduced self-esteem and a decrease in the attention spans of students as they look for the quick gratification that the platform’s short videos provide.

What is Minnesota Seeking in the Lawsuit?

Minnesota is “seeking a declaration that TikTok’s practices are deceptive, unfair or unconscionable under state law, a permanent injunction against those practices, and up to $25,000 for each instance in which a Minnesota child has accessed TikTok,” the Associated Press reported.

Attorney General Ellison wouldn’t name a figure regarding what that total would ultimately be, but said, “It’s a lot.” He estimated that “hundreds of thousands of Minnesota kids” have TikTok on their devices, suggesting the total would indeed be “a lot” when all is said and done.

“We’re not trying to shut them down, but we are insisting that they clean up their act,” Ellison said of the lawsuit.

“There are legitimate uses of products like TikTok. But like all things, they have to be used properly and safely.”

If your child has suffered mental, emotional, or physical harm due to a damaging relationship with TikTok, you may have legal options. Please get in touch with our team today to learn more.