French Families Sue TikTok for Alleged Failure to Remove Harmful Content

PARIS, Nov 4 (Reuters) – Seven families in France have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the platform of exposing their teenage children to harmful content that allegedly contributed to two of the teens, both aged 15, taking their own lives, according to their lawyer on Monday.

The suit claims that TikTok’s algorithm promoted videos related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders to the adolescents, lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion told franceinfo. The families have brought the joint case to the Créteil judicial court, marking the first such collective legal action of its kind in Europe.

“The parents seek to have TikTok’s legal responsibility acknowledged in court,” Boutron-Marmion said. “This is a commercial company providing a product to consumers, many of whom are minors. They should be held accountable for any shortcomings in their product.”

TikTok, like other social media platforms, has faced ongoing criticism over its content moderation policies. Similar to Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, it faces hundreds of U.S. lawsuits alleging that it attracts and hooks millions of children, negatively affecting their mental health.

TikTok was not immediately available for comment. The company has previously emphasized its commitment to young users’ mental health, with CEO Shou Zi Chew telling U.S. lawmakers this year that TikTok has invested in protective measures for youth on the platform.