Expert available: More than a dozen states sue Tik

Newswise – A coalition of more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against TikTok, claiming the platform’s algorithm and design features deliberately target children, causing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia.

The lawsuits accuse TikTok of exploiting young users for profit, operating an unlicensed virtual economy and enabling the sexual exploitation of minors, demanding the company stop its harmful practices and face financial penalties.

Faculty experts from George Washington University are available to provide insight, analysis and commentary on this issue. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact the GW Media Relations Team at (email protected).

Artificial intelligence

Susan Ariel Aaronson, research professor of international affairs, is co-principal investigator at NSF-NIST (National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology) for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society, TRAILS, where she leads research on data and AI governance. She is also director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub at GW, which educates policymakers, the press and the public on data governance and data-driven change. Aaronson currently leads projects in data management for generative AI, ensuring data is accurate, complete and representative globally, and in AI protectionism.

Law

Alan B. Morrison is the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Civil Service Law; Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School. Dean Morrison is an expert in constitutional law and has argued before the Supreme Court twenty times.

Mental health

Lorenzo Norris, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and head of well-being at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Amir Afkhami, an expert in psychiatry, has a joint appointment at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Milken Institute School of Public Health. An expert in psychiatry, much of his current work focuses on psychiatric services and education, behavioral health policy, and the effects of conflict on mental health.

Billy Mullins, clinical assistant professor of nursing, is an expert in medical-psychiatric inpatient care. He founded the Medical-Psychiatric Unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, which focuses on providing holistic, collaborative medical and mental health care versus traditional silos. Mullins can discuss the importance of suicide assessment and prevention, as well as therapeutic communication and relationships. He may also discuss anxiety and ways to manage anxiety, schizophrenia, depression and substance use disorders.

Cybercrime and youth conflicts

Mohana Mukherjee is a sociologist specializing in crime, cybercriminology and youth conflict. With over a decade of experience in the field of sociology, particularly in the areas of crime and deviance, she has conducted extensive research on a wide range of topics. Her research activities cover a range of themes, including investigations into school bullying, the dynamics of conflict among young people, the complex interplay between sexual violence and criminal behavior, as well as cybercriminology with a specific focus on cyberbullying and image-based sexual harassment.

Technical policy

Vikram R. Bhargava is an assistant professor of strategic management and public policy. His research focuses on the distinctive ethical and policy issues that technology raises in organizational contexts. He is interested in topics such as technology addiction, mass outrage on social media, artificial intelligence and other topics related to technology policy and ethics. Bhargava’s article, “Ethics of the Attention Economy: The Problem of Social Media Addiction,” addresses the question of why scientists, policymakers, and managers of social media companies should treat social media addiction as a serious moral problem.

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