French lawmaker calls for criminal inquiry into TikTok’s effect on children

The French parliamentary committee was set up to examine TikTok’s effect on children after accusations of harm by seven families. Photograph: Romain Doucelin/Sopa Images/Rex/Shutterstock

A French lawmaker has asked the state prosecutor for a criminal investigation into whether TikTok was responsible for “endangering the lives” of its young users.

Arthur Delaporte, a Socialist MP, said he co-chaired a six-month French parliamentary inquiry into TikTok’s psychological effects on minors and heard testimony from families, social media executives and influencers.