RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) – A new lawsuit against TikTok claims the social media platform is harming children's mental health.

Kentucky was just one of the states that filed a lawsuit alleging the app was dangerous and borderline predatory.

The complaint alleges that TikTok is designed to keep minors on the app for as long as possible, which helps the company increase revenue from selling targeted ads.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman spoke about why the states decided to take legal action.

“The TikTok app was specifically designed to be an addictive engine,” said Attorney General Coleman. “When you see these cute videos, you think an addictive machine is targeting children who are still developing and who naturally lack self-control.”

Some mental health experts say it's important to use social media in moderation, but for some that's becoming increasingly difficult.

“With TikTok there is theoretically no 'ending,' I mean as long as you stay awake you move on to the next thing,” said Dr. Dan Florell, psychology professor at Eastern Kentucky University.

Dr. Florell says some of TikTok's features, such as push notifications, captivate people. He sees a general trend in the use of social media in the classroom.

“I've noticed that throughout the year, when I walk into my classes, there's dead silence, unlike when I started my career. “I'm not saying they're all on TikTok, but they're all on their phones,” Dr. said. Florell.

Some Eastern Kentucky University students said they have had TikTok since high school, while others said they downloaded it during the pandemic.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just TikTok; “There's another Internet access that causes this type of doom-scrolling behavior, and so it just goes back to the user and whether they're ready for it or not,” said Morgan Daniels, a senior at EKU.

Dr. Florell recommends that parents with children who may be addicted to TikTok or other social media platforms talk to them personally and work with them to develop a plan, as some of his younger patients even say they don't want to be either so often in the app.

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