French Lawmakers Launch Inquiry into TikTok's Psychological Impact on Youth

The commission will investigate the platform's role in promoting harmful content and its effects on mental health, particularly among vulnerable users.

• The French National Assembly unanimously approved the creation of a commission to study TikTok's psychological effects on children and adolescents.
• The inquiry will examine whether TikTok's algorithm amplifies harmful content, including material linked to self-harm, suicide, and hypersexualization.
• TikTok's popularity among young users is significant, with 70% of its French audience under 24 and many users below the app's minimum age requirement of 13.
• Concerns have been raised about TikTok's opaque moderation practices and its potential role in fostering mental health issues, including eating disorders and body image concerns.
• The commission, which may operate for up to six months, follows lawsuits by families alleging TikTok's role in promoting harmful content tied to tragic outcomes.

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