TikTok has agreed to pay Alabama at least $100 million and introduce new safety features for teen users as part of a settlement that resolves a pending trial. The lawsuit, filed by the state in 2025, alleged that TikTok's platform negatively affected the mental health of young users. The case focused on the app's "addictive properties," particularly its algorithm, which personalizes content based on user interests, potentially encouraging prolonged use. Alabama claimed TikTok was aware of these risks but failed to act. As part of the settlement, TikTok will implement several changes to its platform for teen users in Alabama. These include the option to use a non-personalized content feed, a two-hour daily time limit, and a ban on using the app between midnight and 6 a.m. Teen users will also be prompted to take a "productive pause" after 15, 60, and 90 minutes of continuous use. Additionally, TikTok will remove filters related to cosmetic procedures and improve parental controls, age verification, and content moderation. Teen accounts will be set to private by default. The $100 million payment from TikTok to Alabama will likely be used to fund youth mental health services and other related programs. If enough other states reach similar settlements with TikTok within a specific time frame, Alabama could receive an additional $183.8 million. The changes required by the settlement are similar to those agreed upon earlier this year by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, after it reached a deal with multiple states over similar claims. Meta had encouraged TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar standards, but TikTok had not publicly responded. Katherine Robertson, the chief counsel in Alabama’s Attorney General’s office and a Republican nominee for the state’s next attorney general, acknowledged the similarities to the Meta settlement. She told The Associated Press that the issue is part of a broader "war on childhood" driven by technology companies. "Parents and youth are fighting a battle against a bunch of different platforms," she said. "They're manipulating kids to get addicted to their product, essentially." TikTok’s spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to safety and community, stating that the settlement reflects its ongoing efforts to protect young users.