TikTok sued over content that allegedly led to two suicides

 

Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against social media giant TikTok, accusing the platform of exposing their adolescent children to harmful content that led to two of them taking their own lives at 15, CNN reported on Monday citing their lawyer.

The lawsuit claims TikTok’s algorithm exposed the seven teenagers to videos promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion told broadcaster franceinfo.

The families are pursuing joint legal action in the Creteil judicial court. Boutron-Marmion stated it is the first such grouped case in Europe. 

“The parents want TikTok’s legal liability to be recognised in court,” she said, adding: “This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product’s shortcomings.”

TikTok, like other social media platforms, has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding content moderation on its app. Similar to Meta (META) with Facebook and Instagram, it is facing hundreds of lawsuits in the United States, accusing these companies of enticing and addicting millions of children to their platforms, harming their mental health.

TikTok could not be reached immediately for comment on the allegations. The company has previously stated that it takes issues related to children’s mental health seriously. CEO Shou Zi Chew told US lawmakers this year that the company has invested in measures to protect young people who use the app.