Seven families in France have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of exposing their teenage children to harmful content, leading to the tragic loss of two adolescents who died by suicide at the age of 15, according to their lawyer on Monday.
The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm promoted videos related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders to the teenagers involved, stated attorney Laure Boutron-Marmion in an interview with franceinfo. This joint legal action, filed in the Créteil judicial court, represents the first case of its kind brought by multiple families in Europe.
“The parents want TikTok held legally responsible,” Boutron-Marmion said. She emphasized, “This is a commercial company providing a product to consumers who are minors, and they must therefore be accountable for its flaws.”
TikTok, like other major social media platforms, has long been under scrutiny for how it regulates the content shown on its app. Similar to Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok faces numerous lawsuits in the U.S., alleging that these platforms lure and hook young users in ways that damage their mental health.
TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment on these recent allegations. However, the company has previously emphasized its commitment to addressing issues around children’s mental health. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew informed U.S. lawmakers earlier this year about the company’s investment in protective measures for younger users.
