Seven families in France have launched a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the platform exposed their teenage children to harmful content that led to tragic outcomes, including the suicides of two 15-year-olds. Laure Boutron-Marmion, the lawyer representing the families, confirmed the legal action on Monday, stating the lawsuit accuses TikTok’s algorithm of promoting videos that encourage suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders.
The families have filed the joint lawsuit in the Créteil judicial court, making it the first collective case of this nature in Europe. Boutron-Marmion explained, “The parents want TikTok’s legal liability to be recognized in court,” noting that “this is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product’s shortcomings.”
Social media platforms like TikTok have faced continuous scrutiny over how they assent to content. Like Meta (formerly Facebook) with its platforms, TikTok faces hundreds of lawsuits in the United States alleging that social media companies attract and addict millions of young users, contributing to mental health struggles.
TikTok has not yet responded to these recent allegations. However, the company has previously emphasized its commitment to addressing issues affecting children’s mental health. Earlier this year, CEO Shou Zi Chew told U.S. lawmakers that TikTok has invested in measures aimed at safeguarding young users on the app.
