A lawyer stated that seven French families have taken legal action against TikTok, alleging that the platform exposed their adolescent children to harmful content that resulted in two suicides at the age of 15.
The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm showed seven teenagers videos promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, as reported by lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion during an interview with French broadcaster Info.
These families have come together to file a joint lawsuit at the Court of Justice of Creteil in Paris, marking the first such collective action in Europe, according to Boutron-Marmion.
“Parents are seeking accountability from TikTok in court,” she remarked, emphasizing the company’s responsibility as a for-profit entity providing products to underage consumers.
Similar to other social media platforms, TikTok has been under scrutiny for its content moderation practices.
Just like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, TikTok is facing numerous lawsuits in the US for allegedly enticing children to use its platforms excessively, leading to mental health issues.
In response to the allegations, a TikTok spokesperson has stated that they strongly disagree with the claims and find many of them to be inaccurate and misleading.
TikTok has not yet commented on the French lawsuit, but the company has previously emphasized its commitment to addressing issues related to children’s mental health.
CEO Shou Zi Chew informed US lawmakers earlier this year that TikTok has implemented measures to safeguard young users of the app.
Reuters contributed to this article
Source: www.theguardian.com
