TikTok is under legal fire in France as seven families filed a lawsuit against the social media giant, alleging that its content algorithms exposed their children to harmful material that contributed to the suicides of two 15-year-olds. The case, a significant move in European litigation related to social media’s impact on youth, was filed in the Créteil judicial court, according to lawyer Laure Boutron-Marmion, representing the families.

The lawsuit accuses TikTok of promoting distressing content that included themes of suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders, directly influencing the mental health of the involved teenagers. “The parents want TikTok’s legal liability to be recognized in court,” Boutron-Marmion told franceinfo. She emphasized the platform’s obligation, noting, “This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product’s shortcomings.”

TikTok, like other platforms such as Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, has faced extensive scrutiny regarding its content moderation practices and the psychological effects on young users. In the United States, TikTok and similar social media companies are facing hundreds of lawsuits claiming they foster addiction and mental health issues among millions of children.

While TikTok could not be reached for immediate comment on this case, the company has previously stated its commitment to the safety of its younger users. Earlier this year, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew informed U.S. lawmakers about significant investments in measures to protect minors on the platform, highlighting their dedication to addressing mental health-related concerns.

This case brings renewed attention to the debate over social media’s responsibility in safeguarding young users and managing content that may negatively affect mental health. With TikTok facing increasing legal challenges, both in Europe and globally, the outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for the platform’s accountability and influence content regulation policies for tech companies.