TikTok has agreed to pay at least $100 million to the state of Alabama to settle a lawsuit over the popular platform's impact on the safety and mental health of minors . The agreement was announced Friday by the state Attorney General Steve Marshall's office , days before the trial was scheduled to begin.
The settlement, in addition to financial compensation, includes significant changes to how teens use the app. The new rules include time limits, stricter parental controls and modifications to the content recommendation algorithm, aimed at limiting the risks associated with prolonged use of social media.
TikTok: Compensation of at least $100 million
According to the Alabama government's announcement, TikTok is required to make the first payment within 45 days. However, the total amount the state will receive could reach $300 millionif certain conditions are met.
See also: MP says TikTok dodged questions about child safety
The Associated Press (AP) reported that the additional amount is tied to the outcome of similar settlements that other states may reach with the company within a specified period of time. Not all the details governing this mechanism have been made public.
The attorney general's office called the agreement the first of its kind nationwide. The development is particularly significant as US authorities step up pressure on social media companies over their app design practices and protecting younger users.
TikTok: Usage limits, breaks, and nighttime restrictions
One of the most important points of the agreement concerns the time teenagers can spend on TikTok. The terms provide for a daily limit of two hours, which will be enforced through parental controls.
At the same time, mandatory breaks are being introduced after 15, 60 and 90 minutes of continuous use. The aim is to break up uninterrupted browsing and encourage younger users to periodically step away from the screen.
The agreement also includes a ban on access from midnight to 6 a.m., as well as restrictions on use during school hours. The measures are intended to limit late-night use of the app and avoid distractions during lessons.
These interventions are of particular interest because they address some of the practices that have been at the center of public debate about social networks: endless scrolling, constant notifications, and the difficulty of stopping use.
Changes in algorithms and communication with minors
TikTok's obligations go beyond screen time management. The company is being asked to implement age verification, stricter restrictions on communication between adults and teens, and a ban on beauty enhancement filters for younger users in Alabama.
In addition, a non-personalized content stream as a default option for teenagers covered by the agreement.
This change is particularly important for how the platform works. TikTok’s recommendation system selects videos based on various signals of interest and past interaction. A feed that is not personalized by default can limit the extent to which a watch history determines what content they see next.
However, the actual impact of the measure will depend on how it is implemented, the options available and whether teenagers are able to understand the regulations that affect their experience.
See also: TikTok: $400 million settlement for violating children's privacy
The accusations made by Alabama
The state filed the lawsuit against TikTok in 2025, claiming that the app's design encourages excessive use, exposes minors to mental health risks, and creates a misleading image about their safety.
Steve Marshall argued that the agreement offers parents additional guarantees of protection against the risks associated with excessive use of social networks.
For its part, a representative of TikTok US consortium stated, according to the AP, that creating a safe and positive environment for users has always been a priority for the company.
It is important to clarify that the settlement resolves the specific legal dispute without automatically meaning that every claim in the lawsuit has been proven in court.
The growing judicial pressure on platforms
The Alabama case is part of a broader legal battle in the U.S. over social media companies' liability for underage users. TikTok has also reached other settlements, including agreements in three cases involving alleged harm to teenagers that were due to go to trial in October.
See also: Ofcom opens investigation into child safety on TikTok
Meanwhile, the company continues to face legal challenges. According to available information, earlier in September, a judge in Texas found it liable for misleading parents about child safety.
In the same broader context, Meta agreed in August to pay up to $16.68 billion to settle a youth safety case brought by 29 states.
These developments highlight the growing demand for greater accountability from technology companies. For parents, the critical issue is not only limiting screen time, but also transparency of algorithms, protection from unwanted contacts and the ability to effectively control digital activity.
The agreement with Alabama is another step in this process. Whether the new measures will reduce risks will depend on their implementation, the effectiveness of the parenting tools, and the evaluation of the results in practice.
