Key points
- French parliamentary committee calls for criminal investigation into TikTok.
- Lawmaker alleges TikTok poses a risk to the lives of young users.
- Accusations include criminal offenses and perjury against TikTok executives.
- The committee recommends banning social media for under-15s and implementing nighttime curfews for 15-18 year olds.
A French parliamentary committee investigating TikTok’s impact on minors has requested a criminal probe into the platform, alleging that it has deliberately endangered the lives of young users. The committee, chaired by Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte, released its findings on Thursday, concluding that TikTok’s actions constitute a criminal offense.
Delaporte stated that he has formally referred the matter to the Paris public prosecutor, citing potential charges of active complicity and perjury against TikTok executives who, he claims, testified to being unaware of the platform’s harmful effects.
The prosecutor will now decide whether to launch a full investigation. TikTok has yet to respond to requests for comment, though the company has previously expressed commitment to addressing concerns related to children’s mental health.
The committee’s investigation was launched in March following a 2024 lawsuit filed by seven families who accused TikTok of exposing their children to content that encouraged suicidal behavior. The resulting report offers strong recommendations for stricter regulation of social media use among young people.
The committee suggests a complete ban on social media for children under 15 years old and a nighttime curfew for 15- to 18-year-olds, restricting access between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. These measures aim to mitigate the potential negative psychological effects of prolonged exposure to social media.
This action by the French parliament reflects a growing global concern about the impact of social media on children’s mental well-being. Several countries are implementing or considering similar regulations to curb social media use among minors.
The impetus for stricter regulation has been further fueled by recent tragic events, including a fatal stabbing at a French school, which led President Emmanuel Macron to advocate for EU-wide legislation banning social media for children under 15.
The outcome of the criminal investigation will have significant implications for TikTok and the broader social media landscape. It could set a precedent for future legal actions against platforms perceived as neglecting their responsibility to protect young users from harmful content, potentially influencing the development of international regulations aimed at safeguarding children’s online safety.
