China’s biggest Big Tech mogul is about to meet its match.
In a powerful move that’s shaking Big Tech to its core, seven families are taking social media giant TikTok to court, accusing it of promoting content that endangered their teenage children. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s infamous algorithm led seven teens down a dark rabbit hole of videos promoting suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders—tragically resulting in two of the teenagers taking their own lives at the age of 15.
Their lawyer, Laure Boutron-Marmion, announced the joint legal action, stating, “This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product’s shortcomings.” And she’s absolutely right—TikTok, like other social media platforms, doesn’t get a free pass just because it’s a digital playground. If you’re pushing content to kids, you’re responsible for the impact that content has on them.
It’s hardly surprising, though. TikTok, along with Facebook and Instagram, has already been accused across the U.S. of damaging the mental health of young users. What these tech giants won’t admit is that they’ve designed their platforms to be addictive. It’s not about “connecting people” or “sharing life moments.” It’s about keeping users glued to the screen, no matter the cost.
Take the way TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, paraded before U.S. lawmakers this year with claims about “investing in measures to protect young people.” They make it sound so noble, don’t they? Yet, if the platform really cared about kids’ mental health, we wouldn’t be hearing about lawsuits alleging it drove teens to harm themselves. It’s all just smoke and mirrors.
The sad truth is that Democrats, who supposedly stand for the “little guy,” have had ample opportunity to rein in Big Tech. But with Silicon Valley serving as one of their biggest cash cows, they’d rather turn a blind eye. Meanwhile, parents are left fighting Goliath on their own, hoping to shield their kids from the mental health crisis fueled by these addictive platforms.
Republicans, on the other hand, have been the only ones pushing for accountability and transparency in Big Tech’s practices. Conservatives understand that when corporations endanger children for profit, they should be held to account. Big Tech giants like TikTok need to stop using our kids as test subjects for their latest algorithmic experiments.
Parents should have confidence that their kids can use technology safely, without being exposed to harmful content or pressured into unhealthy behaviors. It’s time to say enough is enough. This case isn’t just about one group of grieving families; it’s a warning for everyone. Big Tech needs a reality check, and only real accountability will force it to take kids’ safety seriously. With conservatives leading the charge on Big Tech reform, there’s hope that companies like TikTok will finally be held to the standards they so conveniently ignore.
