Seven families in France have reportedly filed a lawsuit against TikTok, one of the most popular social media platformstoday, for exposing their teenage children to dangerous content that mayhaveled to two instancesofsuicide. The families claim that videos related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders werepromoted by the algorithm TikTok on their children'saccounts-all teenagers-whichmisled them onto a harmful track.

The Creteil judicial court is leadingthejointlawsuit, lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion said to broadcaster Franceinfo,that it’s the first case of its kind in Europe. "The parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognised in court," Boutron-Marmion explained, emphasizing that TikTok, as a “commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors,” must be held accountable for its influence and the content on its platform.

TikTok’s influence on youth

TikTok, just like mostother social mediaapplications, has faced increasingpressure over its inability to controlobjectionable content for a long time. Accordingto the families,itisthe powerful algorithm serving personalized video recommendations from the platform that has exposed vulnerable youths to content undermining their mental health.

Itis not justTikTokthat is facing such criticism. Hundredsoflawsuitsface Meta's Facebook and Instagram in the United States where ithasbeen accused of addicting children and teenagers on its platform to thelevelof mental health issues around the globe. Critics aresaying these companies arenotdoingenoughtoprotectimpressionablemindswhilemakingtonsofmoneythroughhighengagement rates.

Mental health on TikTok

While TikTok could not immediately be reached for comment regarding this lawsuit, the company has previously said that it takes the mental health of its young users seriously. This year, TikTok's Chief Executive Officer, Shou Zi Chew, told U.S. lawmakers that the company is committed to investing in measures aimed at safeguarding minors on the platform. Questions, however, lingeron whether such measures are effective enough to shieldvulnerable users from harmful content.

This willbeanimportantjudicialrulingintheEuropeancontinent onsocial media liabilityfor the psychological well-being of children. For now, the families arelookingforwardto more than justice with their losses but stronger legislation that wouldprobablyguard other children against the after-effects of unregulated web content.