Following investigations by several US states into the potential impact of the algorithm of the Chinese short-video platform TikTok on the mental health of teenagers, prosecutors in Paris, France, announced on Tuesday (November 4) that they were also following suit, accusing TikTok of potentially pushing vulnerable teenagers to suicide. TikTok denies the allegations, stating that the platform offers more than 50 features and presets specifically designed to protect the safety of teenagers.
According to French media reportsLe Figaro"versus"Le MondeAccording to the report, the investigation originated from Arthur Delaporte, a member of the French National Assembly from the Socialist Party (PS). Delaporte previously chaired a parliamentary inquiry committee that studied the impact of TikTok on mental health, pointing out that its algorithm could put the most vulnerable teenagers at risk of suicide.
An investigation revealed that the TikTok platform is rife with videos of suicide, self-harm, and various forms of violence, and that algorithmic recommendations may exacerbate teenagers' exposure to this harmful content, creating a closed "harmful cycle." Therefore, in September of this year, a French parliamentary committee recommended banning the use of social media platforms for minors under the age of 15 and imposing a "digital curfew" on teenagers aged 15 to 18 to prevent them from falling into the algorithmic trap.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated on the 4th that the investigation will be handled by the Paris police's cybercrime unit, focusing on whether the platform complied with its reporting obligations, whether its algorithm operation was consistent with user disclosures, and whether the content involved suicide propaganda. Related violations could carry a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a fine of €45,000.
In fact, since 2022, attorneys general from several U.S. states have launched a joint investigation into TikTok, primarily focusing on the impact of the platform's algorithm on the mental health of teenagers. The investigation indicated that TikTok's recommendation system may expose teenagers to self-harm, depressive, or extreme content for extended periods, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and body image anxiety. Attorneys from multiple states believe that the platform's design is highly addictive, and that its target users are primarily minors, necessitating a thorough review of its safety measures.
International non-profit organizations and academic research have also pointed out that TikTok's algorithm can easily lead teenagers into a "cycle" of harmful content, highlighting the potential risks of algorithm recommendations.
