CASSIS, France — Three years ago, Stephanie Mistre’s life was irrevocably changed when she discovered her 15-year-old daughter, Marie, had died by suicide in her bedroom. In a poignant reflection on that day in September 2021, Mistre remarked, “I went from light to darkness in a fraction of a second.” She has since launched a campaign against TikTok, the popular video-sharing application, which she believes contributed to her daughter’s despair.
Following Marie’s death, Mistre examined her daughter’s phone and stumbled upon videos that encouraged self-harm, tutorial-style content on suicide methods, and comments pushing users into deeper depression. She argued that TikTok’s algorithm had systematically fed her daughter such distressing content. “It was brainwashing,” Mistre shared from her home near Marseille, France. “They normalized depression and self-harm, turning it into a twisted sense of belonging.”
Concurrently, Mistre has joined forces with six other families to file a lawsuit against TikTok France, claiming the platform failed to adequately monitor harmful content and exposed minors to dangerous material. Among the families involved, two have endured the loss of a child. In response to the lawsuit, TikTok acknowledged its community guidelines prohibit the promotion of suicide and asserted that it employs around 40,000 trust and safety professionals worldwide to eliminate harmful content. Additionally, TikTok claims to direct users searching for suicide-related materials to mental health resources.
Before taking her life, Marie had created several videos explaining her intentions, mentioning personal struggles and referencing a song from the emo rap duo Suicideboys, who are particularly popular on TikTok. Mistre also highlighted that her daughter was subjected to relentless bullying both in school and online. Aside from the lawsuit, the couple has lodged a separate complaint against five of Marie’s classmates and her former school.
Mistre holds TikTok responsible, stating that providing access to the app for an impressionable and vulnerable teenager is akin to a ticking time bomb. However, Grégoire Borst, a psychology and cognitive neuroscience professor at Paris-Cité University, noted that research has yet to establish a clear connection between social media use and mental health issues. He cited a notable study revealing that only a minimal portion of the variance in teenagers’ overall well-being could be linked to social media interactions. Furthermore, he mentioned that no studies have indicated that TikTok is more detrimental to mental health than competing platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, or Instagram.
Borst explained that while many teenagers navigate social media without significant harm, greater dangers lie for those already struggling, such as experiencing bullying or family challenges. “Exposing teenagers who are already feeling bad about themselves to distorted images or harmful comparisons can further deteriorate their mental state,” he clarified.
Laure Boutron-Marmion, the attorney representing the families, expressed confidence in their case, citing “substantial evidence.” She emphasized that the platform could no longer evade responsibility by claiming it doesn’t produce the content. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s algorithm intentionally ensnares vulnerable users in despair cycles to maximize profit and seeks financial reparations for the affected families.
“They’re ensnaring children in depressive content to keep them engaged, converting them into profitable products,” Mistre warned. Boutron-Marmion also pointed out that TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, has stricter content guidelines for younger users, including mandatory limitations on daily screen time and access only to approved content. “This demonstrates they can enact content moderation when it matters,” she stated. A recent report, commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron, recommended banning certain addictive algorithm features and restricting social media access for those under 15, yet no measures have been implemented thus far.
Globally, TikTok has faced scrutiny, including legal actions in the U.S. where parents contend that platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook design products that lead to serious harm among teens. Following a testimony in the U.S. Senate, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued an apology to grieving parents. Additionally, Australia has implemented legislation prohibiting social media accounts for children under 16.
In France, Boutron-Marmion anticipates a response from TikTok Limited Technologies regarding the allegations in early 2025, with authorities later determining if a trial will proceed. TikTok, when approached about the French lawsuit, indicated they had not formally been notified, which could delay legal processes for months.
Social media criticism around effective moderation continues, with Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, questioning the robustness of TikTok’s claims. He highlighted the phenomenon of “algospeak,” where users employ euphemisms and codes to evade detection, making moderation difficult. Ahmed’s organization conducted a 2022 study revealing how quickly algorithms could serve harmful content to vulnerable users.
For Mistre, this battle is deeply personal. As she sits in her daughter’s untouched room, she is determined to alert other parents to the hazards of social media. Had she known the type of content targeting her daughter, she would have barred her from TikTok altogether. “In memory of Marie, I will fight as long as I have the strength,” she vowed. “Parents need to know the truth. We must confront these platforms and demand accountability.”
