Florida’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against TikTok on Monday, alleging the social media platform is violating a state law that prohibits children under the age of 14 from creating accounts. The legal action, initiated by James Uthmeier in state court in St. Lucie County, accuses TikTok of allowing underage users to access the app and misrepresenting the extent of violent and sexual content exposure to young users.

The lawsuit requests a court order compelling TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, to implement changes necessary to comply with Florida’s legal requirements. Additionally, it seeks financial damages related to the alleged violations. Uthmeier, a Republican, contends that TikTok’s current practices contravene protections intended to shield children from inappropriate online material.

In response, a spokesperson for TikTok stated that the company has been in communication with the attorney general’s office and has taken steps to notify users under 14 years old in Florida that their accounts will be suspended. The company said it is actively updating its platform to adhere to the state's provisions.

This lawsuit adds to a broader wave of legal challenges facing TikTok across the United States. More than 25 state attorneys general have brought similar suits, primarily under consumer protection laws, alleging that TikTok’s design fosters addiction among young users and contributes to a mental health crisis among children and teenagers. The Florida case is among the more recent efforts to regulate the platform’s impact on underage users and ensure compliance with state laws regarding age restrictions and content safety.