Settlement Reached in Landmark Alabama TikTok Case*

Alabama has reached a landmark settlement with TikTok over claims that the platform did not do enough to protect children and teens. The agreement was announced just before a trial over claims that TikTok misled parents about how well its safety features and parental controls worked.

As part of the settlement, TikTok will pay at least $100 million and introduce new safety measures for young users. While the company denies wrongdoing, it agreed to strengthen parental controls, screen time limits, and other tools to protect minors. If other states join in, the total settlement could reach $300 million.

New TikTok Safety Features for Minors

TikTok will implement several new protections for users under 18, including:

• A two-hour daily screen time limit for minors.
• Expanded parental controls that allow families to set stricter limits.
• Restrictions on app access between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Limits on notifications during school hours.
• A ban on cosmetic beauty filters for children and teens.
• Stronger age-verification tools.
• Enhanced parental-control features.

These changes are intended to give parents more control over how their children use social media and help reduce the risks associated with excessive screen time.

Why the Alabama TikTok Lawsuit Matters

The Alabama TikTok settlement is believed to be the first agreement between TikTok and a state attorney general over claims involving child safety and social media use by minors.

The case comes as concerns about social media continue to grow. Parents, educators, and health experts continue to raise questions about screen time, online safety, and the effect social media can have on young people.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has also been sued over claims that some platform features encourage excessive use among children and teens. This settlement could influence future efforts across platforms to strengthen child safety protections and parental controls.

The State was represented by Rhon Jones, Matt Griffith, Jeff Price, Elliot Bienenfeld, Elizabeth Walden, Rylee Buzbee, and Sarah Grace Strength of Beasley Allen; Attorney General Steve Marshall, Katherine Robertson, Brad Chynoweth, Michael Dean, and Lindsay Barton of the Alabama Office of the Attorney General; Josh Hayes, Matt Glover, and Blake Williams of Prince Glover Hayes.

*Beasley Allen does not represent that the same or similar result would be obtained in other cases.