TikTok will pay Alabama at least $100 million and add safeguards for teens in a settlement reached before trial. The state alleged the platform harmed youths’ mental well-being; terms include a two-hour daily limit and a ban on use from midnight to 6 a.m.
Alabama teens can choose a non-personalized feed, and cosmetic-procedure filters will be barred. “Productive pause” prompts will appear after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes. The deal also requires private-by-default teen accounts, stronger age verification, content moderation and parental controls. The $100 million is for restitution and remediation, likely including youth mental-health services and other programs. Alabama could receive up to $183.8 million more if enough other states reach qualifying settlements within a specified period.
Alabama’s lawsuit alleged TikTok’s interest-based recommendation algorithm had “addictive properties,” harmed children and that the company knew of those harms. Trial was scheduled to start Monday; Alabama would have been the first state to present its claims against TikTok to a jury. A TikTok USDS Joint Venture spokesperson said the company’s priority has always been fostering a safe, positive space and that the settlement builds on its teen-safety tools.
