A Connecticut nurse, Brittany Edwards, is suing TikTok after discovering a post on her 12-year-old daughter’s account indicating thoughts of self-harm. Edwards is one of 5,000 parents using ClaimsHero.io to sue the social media giant, dubbed “the big tobacco of the digital age.”.
TikTok has implemented a “no class action” clause that hinders unity, forcing families to handle the issue individually and leaving ClaimsHero to stand in the gap and mediate the battle against TikTok. The company has also introduced a provision in its user agreement that requires parents to file a claim within a year of creating an account or lose their chance to pursue damages forever.
‘My shining star’
Brittany Edwards, a mother from the US, is suing TikTok for the damaging effects it had on her daughter. Edwards stated that her daughter was always an “outgoing, happy-go-lucky girl” who “could light up a room.” She was her “little shining star.”
At first, Edwards didn’t know her daughter had a TikTok account. When she questioned her daughter, she said she signed up for it on her own with her e-mail and made up a birth date. However, TikTok notes in its “Guardian’s Guide” that the platform “is only for those aged at least 13… and your teen must provide their real date of birth.”
Edwards was sent a screenshot of her daughter’s post that explicitly stated, “LOWKEY GONNA COMMITS Suicide.” Edwards’ conversation with her daughter about her troubling post started with yelling. “I didn’t know how to react,” she said. “I don’t know if I would take back how I reacted because it was natural. I was scared; I was confused.”
Edwards is not sure if her daughter was trying to follow a trend to fit in or if she honestly felt like committing suicide. She added, “Just me thinking about if she was going ahead and doing this and acting this out, then I don’t know how I would be able to take it past that.”
TikTok has been under fire for its impact on children’s mental health. A student from the UK shared her story of how she became addicted to TikTok, which ruined her life. The platform has 80 million monthly active users in the US, and according to a recent report, in just one year, the average minutes per day that US teens spent on TikTok increased by 116 per cent to 82.
Parents and influencers are increasingly concerned about posting their kids online due to privacy and security fears. Comedian Laura Clery explained why she stopped publishing her kids on social media, where she has 6.9 million TikTok followers and 3 million on Instagram.
‘TikTok brain’
Amnesty International conducted a technical investigation that revealed that young people who watch mental health-related content on their TikTok “For You” page were being recommended “rabbit holes” of potentially harmful content, including videos that romanticise, normalise, or encourage suicide. The platform’s content recommender system and invasive data collection practices amplify depressive and suicidal content that could risk making existing mental health conditions worse, according to reports from Amnesty International.
Dr Nina Cerfolio, a nationally recognised psychiatrist and trauma expert, explained that the “TikTok brain” phenomenon results from watching personalised videos using an algorithm designed to predict which content is preferred to engage with accurately. This often encourages teens to continue using the site to feel “good” about securing their entry into the herd. She added that this “good” touching paradoxically damages their belief in their uniqueness and originality.
Brittany Edwards is one of 5,000 parents using Claimshero.io to sue TikTok for its damaging effects on children. Edwards noticed that the more her daughter spent time on TikTok, the more she was “withdrawn from everyone.” Her daughter, who was always a leader and a “cool kid,” started wanting to be more like the people she saw on the social media platform. Edwards feels like her daughter did it to fit in because even when she asked her if she knew what suicide was, she continued to use TikTok.
Michelle and Dean Nasca filed a wrongful death lawsuit in New York state court after their 16-year-old son, Chase, committed suicide in 2022. Before his death, he had received more than 1,000 unsolicited videos of violence and suicide. TikTok declined to comment due to pending litigation, but spokeswoman Jamie Favazza said the company is committed to safety for teens. The company strives to provide a positive and enriching experience and will continue investing in safeguarding its platform.
The “TikTok brain” phenomenon has become a growing concern among parents and mental health experts. The addictive nature of the app and the algorithmic recommendation system that promotes potentially harmful content have been linked to mental health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. Parents are taking legal action against TikTok, which has been dubbed “the big tobacco of the digital age,” to hold the company accountable for its role in exacerbating the mental health crisis among young people.
The average American will unlock their smartphone at least 150 times a day, Cerfolio said — and it got to the point where Edwards’ daughter was simply addicted to TikTok.Tamara Beckwith/NY POST
Addiction?
Brittany Edwards, the mother of a 12-year-old girl, filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the platform had ruined her daughter’s life. According to Edwards, her daughter had become addicted to the app and was exposed to inappropriate content that was not suitable for her age.
The addiction to TikTok is not unique to Edwards’ daughter. The average American unlocks their smartphone at least 150 times a day, and it is common for teenagers to spend hours scrolling through TikTok videos. As a result, many parents are concerned about the negative impact that TikTok is having on their children’s mental health.
TikTok’s algorithm is designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, which can lead to addictive behaviour. The app’s “For You” page is personalised to each user’s interests, and the more a user engages with a particular type of content, the more of that type of content they will see. This can create a feedback loop that keeps users scrolling for hours.
According to Dr. Cerfolio, a thoracic surgeon at NYU Langone, screen addiction is even more problematic for teenagers whose brains are still developing. They are more susceptible to the addictive behaviour encouraged by TikTok practices.
Edwards’ daughter’s addiction was so severe that she would spend all day on TikTok, even during meals and while brushing her teeth. Edwards tried to get her daughter to delete the app, but she would create new accounts with different e-mail addresses and usernames.
Screen addiction is a growing problem, and parents should be aware of the risks associated with social media use. Dr Cerfolio advises parents whose children don’t already have TikTok not to allow them to download it if possible.
At first, Edwards didn’t even know her daughter had a TikTok, and when she questioned her daughter, she said she signed up for it on her own with her e-mail and made up a birth date.Tamara Beckwith/NY POST
In conclusion, TikTok addiction is a genuine concern for parents, and the adverse effects of social media use on mental health cannot be ignored. As TikTok continues to grow in popularity, parents must take steps to limit their children’s screen time and protect them from the harmful effects of social media addiction.
‘I don’t know how long it will take us to get over it.’
Brittany Edwards, a single mom from the United States, went to ClaimsHero because she felt someone needed to be held accountable for the impact of TikTok on her daughter. Although her daughter is doing better mentally after going to therapy, the incident has still affected the family. Edwards said, “Honestly, I don’t know how long it will take to get over it—if we ever do or ever will.”
The average American unlocks their smartphone at least 150 times a day, and it got to the point where Edwards’ daughter was addicted to TikTok. ClaimsHero’s views were similar to hers regarding how they felt about TikTok and how it’s becoming addictive to kids.
As a parent, Edwards knows she cannot control her daughter 24/7, even at school. However, she tries to communicate openly with her and monitor her in the best way she can when she can. She knows she can’t stop her from using the app.
Edwards decided to go to ClaimsHero because she knew there was no way she’d be able to afford a lawyer on her own. She wanted someone to be held accountable for the impact of TikTok on her daughter. Her child did a 360; all it took was for her to be glued to a phone.
The incident highlights the need for parents to monitor their children’s use of technology and have open communication with them. It also raises questions about the addictive nature of social media apps and their impact on mental health.
Teen mental health decline
Recent reports from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have revealed a worrying trend in teen girls’ mental health. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behaviour Survey showed that a staggering 57% of teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, which is twice the rate for teen boys. The survey also revealed that nearly one in three teen girls seriously considered attempting suicide. Unfortunately, these figures are not an anomaly; almost all the indicators of poor mental health among high schoolers, including suicidal thoughts and behaviours, have increased in the last decade.
The average American will unlock their smartphone at least 150 times a day, Cerfolio said — and it got to the point where Edwards’ daughter was simply addicted to TikTok.Tamara Beckwith/NY POST
One factor contributing to this trend is social media platforms such as TikTok. TikTok has been the subject of a recent lawsuit brought by a mother who claims that the platform ruined her daughter’s life. Brittany Edwards is suing TikTok for its damaging effects on her 12-year-old daughter. She hopes that the lawsuit will encourage TikTok to implement parental filters on the app, such as filtering the algorithm for age-appropriate content or making it less addictive. Edwards also hopes that the lawsuit will bring attention to the issue many families face.
While TikTok’s Guardians Guide does provide “Family Pairing features” that allow parents to link their TikTok account to their teen’s and enable a variety of content, privacy, and well-being settings, Edwards advises parents whose kids don’t already have TikTok not to allow them to download it if possible. However, if they already have the app, she suggests building a better rapport than what already exists between parent and child.
It is important to note that social media platforms like TikTok are not the only factor contributing to the decline in teen mental health. However, the platform’s popularity with teens and the ease of accessing it make it a significant concern. Parents and carers must be aware of the potential risks associated with social media use and take steps to mitigate those risks.
Thankfully, Edwards shared that her daughter is doing better and attending therapy. While it is a positive step, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the mental health crisis among teens.
‘Safety first’
Teen mental health is complex, and the use of social media platforms, including TikTok, can have both positive and negative impacts on teen users. While some TikTok trends can benefit our mental health, such as silent walking, there is much-unverified information on meditation and wellness on TikTok. Therefore, applying a safety-first approach to online platforms is essential, just as medications, toys, and cars are.
According to Katie Hurley, senior clinical adviser at the JED Foundation, we do not yet have enough evidence to fully understand the impacts of social media on teen mental health. Hence, it is crucial to be alert that a lot of information on social media is not checked for accuracy and may provide false information.
It is important to note that social media platforms, including TikTok, can affect the mental health of teens. Hence, applying a first approach is essential while using these platforms. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988Lifeline.org.
© 2024 m10news.com Media
