French investigators open criminal probe into TikTok over impact on children’s mental health

French investigators have opened a criminal probe into TikTok over allegations that the video platform allows content that promotes suicide and that its algorithms may encourage vulnerable young people to take their own lives.

The announcement follows a lawsuit targeting TikTok by several French families, a French parliamentary probe into the psychological impact of TikTok on children, and reports detailing similar issues published by Amnesty International and the French Senate.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the investigation will examine “content consisting notably of the promotion of suicide” as well as whether TikTok respected obligations to notify authorities of infractions committed by intermediaries.

In a statement provided Tuesday, TikTok refuted the claims in the parliamentary report that helped lead to the investigation.

“With more than 50 pre-set features and settings designed specifically to support the safety and well-being of teens, and nine in 10 violative videos removed before they’re ever viewed, we invest heavily in safe and age-appropriate teen experiences,″ TikTok said.

The Paris police cybercrime brigade will investigate possible crimes including “propaganda for products or methods ... used to take one’s life,” and allowing illicit transactions linked to organised crime, the prosecutor’s office said.

If the investigation leads to charges and convictions, those found guilty could face several years in prison and fines. As is common in French law, the prosecutor’s office did not name individuals at this stage who could face eventual charges in the investigation.

TikTok under pressure

Last year, seven families sued TikTok France, accusing the platform of failing to moderate harmful content and exposing children to life-threatening material. Out of the seven families, two experienced the loss of a child.

One was 15-year-old Marie Le Tiec. Delving into her daughter’s phone after her death, Stephanie Mistre discovered videos promoting suicide methods, tutorials, and comments encouraging users to go beyond “mere suicide attempts”.

Mistre said TikTok’s algorithm had repeatedly pushed such content to her daughter.

“They normalised depression and self-harm, turning it into a twisted sense of belonging,’' Mistre said at the time.

TikTok and other social media platforms have also come under scrutiny globally for allegedly inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.

If you are contemplating suicide and need to talk, please reach out to Befrienders Worldwide, an international organisation with helplines in 32 countries. Visit befrienders.org to find the telephone number for your location.