Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming the platform exposed their adolescent children to harmful content, which contributed to two of them tragically taking their own lives at age 15, their lawyer announced on Monday.
The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s algorithm directed the seven teens toward videos that promoted suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, according to lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion, who spoke with franceinfo.
The families are collectively pursuing legal action in the Créteil judicial court, marking the first such group case in Europe, Boutron-Marmion noted. “The parents want TikTok’s legal responsibility to be recognized in court,” she explained, emphasizing that “this is a commercial company providing a product to consumers who are minors, and they should be held accountable for its risks.”
Like other social media platforms, TikTok has faced significant scrutiny over its content moderation practices. Similar to Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, it also faces numerous lawsuits in the U.S., alleging that these platforms entice and addict children, ultimately harming their mental health.
Previously, the company has stated its commitment to addressing issues affecting young users’ mental health. CEO Shou Zi Chew told U.S. lawmakers earlier this year that TikTok has invested in measures to protect young users on the app.
