TikTok is facing new lawsuits from 13 US states and the District of Columbia, accusing the popular social media platform of harming children and failing to protect them.

The lawsuits were filed separately in New York, California and 11 other states, and include allegations that TikTok uses software designed to intentionally addict users, to keep children occupied for as long as possible.

Other states that have filed lawsuits include Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington.

In March 2022, eight states, including California and Massachusetts, launched an investigation into TikTok’s influence on youth. The US Department of Justice also filed a lawsuit against the platform in August, accusing it of failing to protect children’s privacy.