SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The lawsuits stem from a national investigation into TikTok, which was launched in March 2022 by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general.
At the heart of each lawsuit is the TikTok algorithm, which powers what users see. The lawsuits allege it aims to make children addicted to the platform calling it “dopamine-inducing.” Avera Clinical Psychologist, Wallace Jackmon, says there is no doubt about the addictive nature of social media.
“Research clearly supports that over the course of the past 10 to 15 years, no matter what the platform it is there is an addictive quality to the majority of components of social media,” said Jackmon.
Nathaniel and Faye Shatswell of Beresford brought their kids to the park to play today. They say in their experience TikTok is addictive.
“It’s kind of hard to stop, you start scrolling and you can’t stop and it’s look at this look at this, but all social media is bad for kids,” said Faye.
“Yeah social media is just horrible for kids,” Nathaniel agreed.
Tom- Are you going to limit your kids as they get older?
“Oh they are not going to have social media till they are probably 16 to 17 years old,” said Nathaniel.
“Till they are responsible enough,” said Faye.
Jackmon says parents must look at themselves before they can effectively limit their kids.
“We have to set a good example for our children, secondly from a parental perspective having guidelines or rules for phone use, for example common ones that I hear from parents, they don’t allow phone use at the dinner table or when they are eating their breakfast they should not be on their phone or conversely find other activities that the child or adolescent can do where they are not using their phone,” said Jackmon.
Jackmon says screen time can be even more destructive for kids and adults who are predisposed to anxiety and depression.
