TikTok to launch meditation feature as it faces slew of lawsuits alleging it’s harming kids’ mental health

New York Post - May 16th, 2025

TikTok is introducing a new meditation feature aimed at teen users as it grapples with multiple lawsuits accusing the platform of negatively impacting children's mental health through addictive features and harmful content. The Meditation in Sleep Hours feature will automatically engage for all users under 18, pausing their For You feed with guided meditation after 10 p.m. Adult users can activate the feature in their settings. This initiative is part of TikTok's response to ongoing legal actions and criticisms from politicians and mental health advocates. The company is also donating $2.3 million in ad credits to mental health organizations globally.

The lawsuits, spearheaded by 14 attorneys general, claim TikTok harms young users' mental health and unlawfully collects their personal data. Despite TikTok's denial of these allegations, the app faces scrutiny from government officials, including former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who link it to rising depression and anxiety rates among U.S. teens. Additionally, the Justice Department and FTC have filed a lawsuit over the app's inadequate measures for handling accounts of users under 13. The U.S. government continues to express concerns over national security due to TikTok's Chinese ownership, with attempts to ban the app unless ownership stakes are transferred to a U.S. company. President Trump, who initially sought to ban TikTok, has signed an executive order to keep it operational while extending the deadline for the divestment requirement.

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Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of TikTok's new meditation feature and the legal challenges it faces. It accurately reports on the company's initiatives to improve user well-being and the criticisms it encounters, offering a balanced perspective. However, the story could benefit from more diverse sourcing and detailed explanations to enhance credibility and clarity. While it addresses significant public interest topics, its impact and engagement potential are somewhat limited by the lack of in-depth analysis or expert commentary. Overall, the article effectively communicates important information but could be strengthened by additional context and perspectives.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports TikTok's launch of a meditation feature aimed at improving teen users' mental health. This claim is supported by multiple sources that confirm the feature's introduction and its intended purpose of reducing screen time before bed. The story also correctly mentions the $2.3 million donation to mental health organizations, aligning with TikTok's public announcements. However, the article's mention of ongoing lawsuits and accusations against TikTok requires careful verification, as it involves complex legal proceedings and claims that may not be fully resolved or straightforward. The article correctly notes TikTok's denial of these claims, providing a balanced view of the situation.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including TikTok's initiatives to enhance user well-being alongside the criticisms and legal challenges it faces. It mentions both the positive steps TikTok is taking, such as the meditation feature and donations, and the negative aspects, like the lawsuits and accusations from government officials. However, the story could benefit from more perspectives, such as statements from mental health experts or user testimonials, to provide a fuller picture of the issue's complexity.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, effectively communicating the main points about TikTok's new feature and the legal challenges it faces. The structure is logical, with a clear progression from the introduction of the meditation feature to the broader context of lawsuits and government concerns. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of technical terms or legal concepts for readers unfamiliar with these topics.

Source quality

The article relies on a press release from TikTok and references ongoing legal actions and government statements. While the press release is a direct source from TikTok, the article lacks diverse sourcing, such as independent expert opinions or third-party analyses, which would enhance the credibility and depth of the reporting. The reliance on a single type of source limits the article's ability to provide a comprehensive view of the situation.

Transparency

The article provides basic context regarding TikTok's new feature and the surrounding legal issues, but it lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies behind the claims, such as how the meditation feature is expected to impact user behavior or the specific legal arguments in the lawsuits. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases in its reporting, which could affect the reader's understanding of the impartiality of the information presented.