Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) issued a statement in response to a recent NPR article exposing internal communications from TikTok executives, which revealed a disregard for user well-being in favor of the company’s financial gains. The report, which uncovers parts of a lawsuit filed by the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, is part of a broader investigation by attorneys general from 14 states, examining TikTok’s impact on adolescent mental health.
“There is no doubt that our nation’s growing mental health crisis is inextricably tied to the rise of social media usage by children and teenagers,” Senator Britt stated. “However, while our adolescents face these threats that are quite literally at their fingertips, Big Tech companies like TikTok continue to turn a blind eye. The dangers of social media transcend political party – our children deserve better than social media companies who prey on their adolescence.”
Britt expressed outrage over the internal documents, which reveal TikTok’s knowledge of the platform’s addictive nature and its potential for negative mental health effects, including anxiety, loss of analytical skills, and memory impairment. According to the report, TikTok’s research showed that after just 35 minutes of use, a user is likely to become addicted. Despite this knowledge, the company reportedly failed to take adequate action to protect younger users.
“As a Senator, but more importantly as a parent, the revelations in these internal documents are disgusting. This reporting is further proof Congress must act to protect the well-being of America’s kids because Big Tech prioritizes profits over people,” Britt continued. “I won’t stop fighting to protect the next generation and ensure each and every young person in our nation has the opportunity to live their American Dream.”
The NPR report also highlighted the widespread use of TikTok among adolescents, with 95% of smartphone users under 17 accessing the app at least once a month. Despite concerns about its effects on mental health, the platform continues to implement inadequate safeguards while focusing on boosting user engagement and public trust.
Senator Britt has been a vocal advocate for legislation aimed at protecting children and teens from the harmful effects of social media. She has supported several bipartisan initiatives, including the Kids Off Social Media Act and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which aim to regulate social media usage among adolescents and improve online safety standards. She has also co-sponsored the Stop the Scroll Act, calling for mental health warning labels on social media platforms.
Additionally, Senator Britt has collaborated on the Youth Mental Health Research Act with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), focusing on long-term strategies for youth mental health care and preventive measures. Britt has also supported efforts to address national security concerns regarding TikTok, including legislation that would require the app’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations.
As investigations into TikTok’s practices continue, Senator Britt remains committed to advocating for stronger protections for the mental health and safety of American youth.
