TikTok is facing a class action by seven families in France alleging the video-sharing app was exposing their children to harmful content - two of whom killed themselves as a result.

The court filing alleges the algorithm of the video-sharing platform exposed them to content that promotes self-harm, eating disorders and suicide, said Laure Boutron-Marmion, a lawyer for the families.

She told French media the case marked the first of its type in Europe.

TikTok, which is one of the world's most popular social media platforms, said it had not received any notifications of legal proceedings relating to the claims.
The company added in a statement that its community guidelines do not allow for the showing, promoting or sharing plans for suicide or self-harm, and that it uses a combination of technology and moderation to ensure these standards are upheld.

It is separate from a criminal complaint filed against TikTok last year by the parents of Marie - one of the two teenagers who killed herself. The group action is being filed in the Créteil judicial court.

Marie, whose surname is not known, was 15 when she took her own life in 2021. It partly stemmed from the video content that she could access on TikTok without moderation in sight, according to her mother.

Another girl whose family is part of the lawsuit also committed suicide, and four of the five young women in the other case attempted to take their lives. At least one of them developed an eating disorder.

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"The parents want TikTok's legal liability to be recognised in court," Ms Boutron-Marmion told broadcaster Franceinfo.

"This is a commercial company offering a product to consumers who are, in addition, minors. They must, therefore, answer for the product's shortcomings."

TikTok, like other major social networks, has faced scrutiny and criticism over its safeguarding practices.

More than a dozen US states recently sued the company - accusing it of helping drive a mental health crisis among teenagers.

Last year, the European Union opened an investigation into whether it had breached new safety laws relating to the protection of minors, among other areas.

These cases are raising awareness of accountability on social media," Ms Boutron-Marmion said during an interview in April with French legal news site Actu-Juridique. She added that in recent years, especially with the case of British schoolgirl Molly Russell who took her own life in 2017 after seeing a series of graphic images of self-harm and suicide in various online platforms, including Instagram and Pinterest, such cases have multiplied.

"Parents are now waking up. Many of them were not aware of the horrors that spread across the platforms. Of course, I feel the change in mentalities, but the problem remains: addiction exists-and this includes adults."