TikTok Faces Lawsuit in France Over Harmful Content Linked to Two Suicides

Seven families in France have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming the platform exposed their teenage children to harmful content, which they say contributed to two of the children taking their own lives at age 15, according to their lawyer.

The legal complaint argues that TikTok’s algorithm showed the teenagers videos that promoted suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, said lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion in an interview with franceinfo. This joint lawsuit, filed in the Créteil judicial court, is reportedly the first collective action of its kind in Europe.

The families seek to hold TikTok accountable, with Boutron-Marmion stating, “The parents want a legal acknowledgment of TikTok’s responsibility.” She emphasized that TikTok, as a commercial entity offering its product to minors, must address these alleged safety failures in court.