TikTok Algorithm Allegedly Linked to Teen's Suicide, Court Documents Reveal

The parents of a 16-year-old claim TikTok used location tracking to push harmful content, leading to their son's death in 2022.

Court filings allege TikTok's algorithm directed 'railroad-themed suicide videos' to 16-year-old Chase Nasca, who lived near train tracks and died by suicide in 2022.
The lawsuit, filed by Nasca's parents, accuses TikTok of using location data to target their son with harmful content despite his searches for uplifting videos.
TikTok has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing it is protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the First Amendment.
Nasca's parents claim TikTok's algorithm exploited vulnerabilities in their son to maximize engagement, contributing to his mental health decline.
The case is part of a broader debate over social media platforms' responsibility for harmful content and their impact on mental health.