Society

Seven French families have filed a lawsuit against TikTok because the Chinese video platform exposes their children to harmful content. This allegedly even led to the suicide of two 15-year-old girls.

“She was inundated by toxic videos to the point where she couldn't escape,” Delphine, mom of a teenager who commited suicide, testified to France's BFMTV. By her own account, her 15-year-old daughter Charlize was shown hundreds of videos promoting self-harm, eating disorders and even suicide through TikTok.

Mom Delphine now holds TikTok partially responsible for her daughter's suicide. Charlize was bullied at school and therefore sought refuge on TikTok. On Nov. 22, 2023 - after three failed attempts - she ended her life.

“The day after, I spoke with her friends. They showed a TikTok video she had retweeted. 'Night brings counsel,' it sounded in it. It literally mentioned how to take her own life. And Charlize followed that method, too.”

If you're feeling like you want to end your life, it's important to tell someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Free helplines (like e.g. findahelpline.com) are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate. They're open 24 hours a day, every day. You can also call these helplines for advice if you're worried about someone else.

(FVDV for Tagtik/Source: BFMTV/Illustration picture: Unsplash)