Seven families in France have taken the social media giant TikTok accusing the platform of exposing their teenage children to harmful content that resulted in two of them killing themselves, their lawyer announced today.
The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s algorithm exposed the seven teenagers to videos promoting suicide, self-harm and eating disorders, lawyer Lore Boutron-Marmion told broadcaster franceinfo.
The families have filed a class action in the court and, according to Lore Boutron-Marmion, it is the first class action of its kind in Europe.
“The parents want the court to recognise the criminal liability of TikTok. This is a commercial company that offers a product to consumers, who are – in addition – minors. Therefore they should be held accountable for the defects in the product.”
TikTok, like other social media platforms, has long faced scrutiny over the policing of content on its app.
As was the case with Facebook and Instagram platforms Meta, TikTok is facing hundreds of lawsuits in the US accusing it of inciting and causing addiction in millions of children, which affects their mental health.
TikTok was not immediately available to comment on the charges.
The company has previously said it takes issues related to children’s mental health seriously.
The platform’s CEO Su Zhi Chiu told US lawmakers this year that the company has invested in measures to protect young people using the app.
