Florida's attorney general James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against TikTok on Monday in state court in St. Lucie County, alleging the ByteDance-owned platform contravenes Florida's H.B. 3 legislation. The law, which took effect in January 2025, prohibits social media companies from permitting users under 14 to open accounts and requires parental approval for those under 16.
Uthmeier, a Republican, contends that TikTok has knowingly circumvented these rules by enabling underage access and downplaying the scale of violent and sexual material available to young users. "TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law," Uthmeier stated. "We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children's safety." The legal action seeks an injunction requiring compliance and monetary penalties.
TikTok responded through a spokesperson, indicating the company has been communicating with the state's legal authorities and is taking steps to suspend accounts belonging to under-14 users in Florida. The platform said it continues rolling out modifications to align with state requirements and is reviewing the complaint while defending its child protection efforts.
This action by Florida joins broader enforcement efforts nationwide. Over 25 state attorneys general have brought cases against TikTok, predominantly citing state consumer protection statutes and allegations that the platform's design is inherently addictive to minors. Similar enforcement actions have targeted other platforms; Florida separately sued Snap in 2025, calling its conduct "particularly egregious" given Snapchat's marketing to 13-year-olds despite exposing users to pornography and drug-related activities.
Meanwhile, social media giants including TikTok, Meta, and Google face thousands of individual and class-action lawsuits regarding harm to young users. In a notable Los Angeles trial, a jury found Meta and Google negligent in a case involving depression and anxiety claims. TikTok settled that case before trial and agreed to pay USD 8 million to resolve a Kentucky school district lawsuit.
A Florida federal judge previously blocked enforcement of H.B. 3, citing constitutional concerns under the First Amendment. However, the ruling has been temporarily suspended, enabling Florida to implement the law while challenging the decision through appeals.
