What happened

Several French families and parliamentary committees initiated legal and criminal action against TikTok, alleging that its algorithm exposes young users, with some as young as 13, to harmful content promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. 

Two of the adolescents in these families (both aged 15) died by suicide. 

In November 2025, French prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into TikTok, looking at whether the platform promoted “propaganda … of methods … used to commit suicide,” and whether it failed in its duty to alert authorities about dangerous content. 

Separately, research by Amnesty International showing accounts started seeing “sadness” videos just minutes after logging on; over time, the amount of depressive content more than doubled, and some content even included explicit references to suicide methods. 

TikTok strongly denies the allegations, stating it has “over 50 pre-set features … to support the safety and well-being of teens” and claims it removes 90 percent of violative videos before they are viewed.

Why it happened

Critics argue that TikTok’s algorithm may disproportionately recommend emotionally intense or “dark” content to vulnerable users, thereby creating a feedback loop of despair.

According to Amnesty, TikTok’s design amplifies risk rather than mitigates it: once a user shows interest in “sad” or depressing material, the algorithm intensifies similar content. 

Families and legal representatives also accuse TikTok of insufficient content moderation: despite reports from users, self-harm or suicidal content has allegedly remained accessible. 

There may also be accountability gaps: under-reporting of harmful content, lack of robust systems to detect suicidal ideation, and limited transparency on how the recommendation system works.