TikTok is being sued by seven families in France, accusing the social media giant of exposing their children to harmful content – causing two families to take their own lives.
Laure Boutron-Marmion, a lawyer for the families, said the case alleges the video platform’s algorithm exposed them to content that encouraged self-harm, eating disorders and suicide.
She told French media that the lawsuit is the first of its kind in Europe.
TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, said it has not received any notice of legal proceedings related to the complaints.
The company added in a statement that its community guidelines do not allow the display, promotion or sharing of suicide or self-harm plans, and that it uses a combination of technology and moderation. to ensure these standards are maintained.
The class action lawsuit was filed at the Créteil judicial court, separate from the criminal complaint filed against TikTok last year by Marie’s parents – one of the two teenagers who committed suicide.
Marie, whose last name was not used in the report, was 15 years old when she took her own life in 2021. According to her mother, her death was partly caused by video content that she could access on TikTok without need censorship.
Another girl whose family was involved in the lawsuit also died by suicide, while four of the remaining five young girls attempted to take their own lives. At least one of them had an eating disorder.
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“Parents want TikTok’s liability to be recognized in court,” Ms. Boutron-Marmion told Franceinfo television.
“This is a commercial company that supplies products to consumers, who are also minors. Therefore, they have to answer for the product’s shortcomings.”
TikTok, like other major social networks, has faced scrutiny and criticism over its protection practices.
More than a dozen US states recently sued this company – accusing it of helping fuel a mental health crisis among teenagers.
Last year, the European Union launched an investigation into whether it violated new safety laws related to the protection of minors, among other areas.
In an interview in April, Ms. Boutron-Marmion told French legal news website Actu-Juridique that cases like that of Molly RussellBritish schoolgirl who committed suicide in 2017 after seeing graphic images of self-harm and suicide online on Instagram and Pinterest, is increasingly raising awareness of the need to take responsibility. Greater accountability for content on social networks.
“Parents are starting to wake up. Many of them are unaware of the horrors being spread on this platform. Although I see a change in mentality, the problem persists: Addiction continues, even in adults.”
