This past week, I listened to news that more than a dozen state attorneys general are suing TikTok, accusing the company of harming children by using addictive features to keep kids hooked, despite the potential dangers of excessive use.
It may be why a sight that caught my eye a day or two later struck me.
A young girl crawled into a large front booth at the coffee shop my husband and I own in downtown Flandreau, excited to get back to reading her book. Seeing a child so engrossed in a book, rather than glued to a screen, was refreshing. And rare.
Usually, when a child is in our midst, they’re on a phone — exactly what companies like TikTok and others are banking on.
The lawsuit, filed by 13 states, marks the most significant legal challenge against TikTok to date. In its filings, the District of Columbia described the algorithm as “dopamine-inducing,” intentionally addictive, and designed to trap young users into spending hours on the app. Despite being aware of the psychological and physiological harms, such as anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia, TikTok continues to push these behaviors.
YouTube and other platforms have faced similar lawsuits, accused of contributing to a youth mental health crisis. And it’s not just apps. For years, children’s television shows have been criticized for the same thing — reprogramming kids’ attention to stay glued to the screen. Earlier this year, experts raised alarms about Netflix shows like CoComelon, which some parents likened to “cocaine for babies,” citing symptoms of addiction and withdrawal when the shows are turned off.
So why does any of this matter?
Experts say screen time isn’t inherently bad, but it becomes problematic when it takes away from other essential activities like play, learning, and social interaction. In today’s world, escaping the constant pull of screens has become difficult.
Technology dominates our lives, competing for attention in ways we never could’ve imagined just a generation ago.
Encouraging children, and adults, to pick up a book, play a board game, or go for a walk might be more important now than ever. Books, in particular, offer a unique space where kids can engage their imaginations, develop critical thinking, improve cognitive skills, and immerse themselves in narratives that help them better understand the world around them.
Reading also fosters empathy, patience, and reflection — qualities not easily learned from a quick scroll through social media. And it allows kids, and adults, the opportunity to slow down and focus, which are critical to building mindfulness and concentration.
As we watch tech-reliant generations grow into the world and workforce, this issue demands our attention. Whether we want our kids to stay engaged with real issues or simply ensure they develop the focus needed for life and work, the addiction to screens is a crisis a growing network of individuals, families, schools, communities, and state’s are realizing we cannot afford to ignore.