Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the platform’s failure to remove harmful content led two 15-year-olds to take their own lives. This latest legal action adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding TikTok’s content moderation.
The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm exposed the teenagers to videos promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, according to the families’ lawyer, Laure Boutron-Marmion, who spoke with franceinfo. Filed in the Créteil judicial court, this case is reportedly the first of its kind to group multiple families together in Europe.
“The parents want TikTok’s legal responsibility acknowledged in court,” said Boutron-Marmion, stressing that the company, which provides a product to young consumers, should be held accountable for any related harm.
Similar to other social media giants like Meta, TikTok has faced scrutiny over content policing. In the United States, both TikTok and Meta’s platforms have been the subjects of numerous lawsuits, accusing them of harming young users’ mental health by promoting addictive behavior.
TikTok has previously stated it takes youth mental health concerns seriously, with CEO Shou Zi Chew noting earlier this year that the company has invested in protective measures for young users.
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