Several French families have launched a lawsuit against TikTok, claiming that the platform's algorithm exposed their teenaged kids to harmful content, contributing to two suicides, according to a report.
The lawsuit was filed by seven families, in Paris, France, at the Créteil judicial court, The Guardian reported.
They argue that TikTok prioritized videos promoting self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide, which deeply affected two 15-year-olds who took their lives.
"The parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognised in court," Laure Boutron-Marmion, the lawyer representing the families, said. "This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product's shortcomings."
This case is the first of its kind as a grouped lawsuit in Europe targeting the platform for its role in the mental health crisis among adolescents.
"We strongly disagree with these claims, many of which we believe to be inaccurate and misleading," a TikTok spokesperson said in response to the lawsuits.
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