Families in France have initiated legal proceedings against TikTok, alleging that the platform's failure to remove harmful content contributed to the suicides of two 15-year-old teenagers, as stated by their legal representative on Monday.
The lawsuit, filed with the Creteil judicial court, asserts that TikTok's algorithm exposed seven teenagers to material promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, according to Laure Boutron-Marmion, the families' legal representative, as reported by France 24.
In an interview with Franceinfo, Boutron-Marmion noted that this marks the first collective lawsuit in Europe against TikTok concerning alleged harm to minors.
“The parents seek to have TikTok's legal responsibility acknowledged,” she explained. “As a commercial entity providing a product to consumers, including minors, they must be held accountable for the deficiencies of that product.”
This lawsuit adds to the mounting legal pressures facing TikTok amid heightened scrutiny regarding the effects of social media on mental health.
In the United States, TikTok, along with Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, is facing lawsuits that allege these platforms are addictive for young users and detrimental to their mental well-being.
TikTok has not yet responded to requests for comment but has previously expressed its dedication to the mental health of younger users. Earlier this year, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew informed US lawmakers that the company has made significant investments in protective measures for its younger audience.