Seven families in France have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the platform of exposing their children to harmful content that led two of the teenagers to take their own lives. The families allege that TikTok’s algorithm recommended videos promoting self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide, contributing to the tragic deaths of their children.
The lawsuit, which is the first of its kind in Europe, was filed in the Créteil judicial court. Laure Boutron-Marmion, the lawyer representing the families, emphasized that the case highlights TikTok’s role in allowing harmful content to proliferate without adequate safeguards.
TikTok, one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, has denied the accusations. In a statement, the company stated that it had not received any notifications about the lawsuit. TikTok also affirmed that its community guidelines prohibit the promotion of suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders, and it uses a mix of technology and human moderation to enforce these policies.
The case is separate from a previous criminal complaint filed by the parents of Marie, a 15-year-old girl who died by suicide in 2021 after viewing harmful content on TikTok. Marie’s mother claimed that the videos on the platform contributed to her daughter’s death. Another family involved in the lawsuit also lost their child to suicide, while four other teens attempted suicide, and at least one developed an eating disorder.
Ms. Boutron-Marmion argued that TikTok, as a commercial entity offering a platform to minors, should be held accountable for failing to prevent harmful content from spreading. She stated that the goal of the lawsuit is to have TikTok’s legal liability recognized in court.
The lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny of social media platforms like TikTok, which have faced increasing criticism over their impact on mental health. In the United States, over a dozen states have sued TikTok, accusing the platform of fueling a mental health crisis among teens. Meanwhile, the European Union is investigating whether TikTok has violated new safety laws designed to protect minors.
Ms. Boutron-Marmion pointed to the case of Molly Russell, a British schoolgirl who took her life in 2017 after encountering graphic content on Instagram and Pinterest, as an example of the growing awareness surrounding social media’s role in mental health issues. She noted that while there has been a shift in public awareness, the problem of addiction to social media, including among adults, persists.
