French MP Accuses TikTok of Endangering Youth, Proposes Curfew

URGENT UPDATE: A French lawmaker has issued a stark warning about TikTok, accusing the platform of “deliberately endangering” young users and calling for a mandatory “digital curfew.” The accusations come as a parliamentary investigation unveiled alarming findings on the app’s impact on youth mental health.

Arthur Delaporte, a member of the Socialist Party and chair of the investigation, stated that TikTok’s algorithm creates an “algorithmic trap” exposing children to dangerous content. Delaporte’s comments, made on Thursday, align with a report released after an inquiry that began in March 2024. The data highlights how TikTok’s content can lead to severe mental health risks among young people.

In a shocking revelation, Delaporte declared that TikTok “deliberately endangered the health and lives of its users,” referencing a recent lawsuit filed by families in late 2024 against the platform, claiming it exposed their children to suicide-inducing content. The investigation report accuses TikTok of allowing harmful material to flourish and suggests the algorithms may push vulnerable teenagers into negative behavioral patterns.

Moreover, Laure Miller, a member of the parliamentary committee, highlighted critical concerns, stating that TikTok usage can result in attention deficits, sleep disruption, and lowered self-esteem among teenagers. The implications of these findings are profound, especially given the rising mental health crisis among youth.

In response to these serious allegations, TikTok dismissed the parliamentary findings as “misleading,” asserting that they unfairly shift the blame onto the platform for broader societal issues. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, claimed to have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-backed moderation system aimed at ensuring safe app usage, but French lawmakers labeled these efforts as inadequate.

Further compounding the issue, the report noted a worrying 26 percent drop in the number of French-speaking moderators on TikTok between September 2023 and December 2024. This raises significant concerns about the platform’s ability to effectively monitor content in French-speaking regions.

The parliamentary committee proposed a “digital curfew” for users aged 15 to 18, restricting access to the app from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed support for a ban on social media for children under the age of 15, indicating a potential shift in national policy regarding youth and digital media.

This developing situation raises critical questions about the responsibility of social media platforms in safeguarding young users. As French lawmakers push for more stringent regulations, the future of TikTok in France hangs in the balance.

Stay tuned as this story unfolds and authorities continue to address the urgent issue of youth mental health in the digital age.