Parents are <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/07/parents-sue-tiktok-after-7-kids-die-from-profitable-blackout-challenge-videos/?amp=1">suing</a> social media platform TikTok claiming that one of the challenges on the app led to the death of their children. The lawsuit pits parent responsibility against what some allege is the platform’s deliberate targeting of children.
In a disturbing story, two sets of parents have filed a lawsuit against TikTok after their daughters — who were ages 8 and 9 — died after allegedly trying to perform what’s called the Blackout Challenge, where people are told to share videos essentially strangling themselves until they lose consciousness.
The <a href="https://socialmediavictims.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Complaint_File-TikTok-Smith-Arroyo-7_1_22.pdf">lawsuit</a> accuses TikTok of enticing young users to become addicted to its platform and then promotes content that can convince them to harm themselves. The parents allege that TikTok doesn’t provide adequate warnings to deter young users or inform their parents about the addictive nature of the app or these potentially deadly challenges.
The parents say TikTok promotes harmful content, and the app is designed to be addictive. They want the company to pay damages related to the deaths of their children.
Matthew Bergman, a lawyer representing the parents and founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, told Morning Wire, “there are over 12 children in the United States that we know of who have died from the TikTok Blackout Challenge [and] 40 children in the Pacific region who have died of it as well.&#8221; 
“The goal of this lawsuit is to hold this company accountable for designing a product with an algorithm that directs young children to content that causes them to engage in this very dangerous and in many cases, fatal activity,” he said.
He noted that TikTok had created documents that have been leaked showing how their goal is, &#8220;first and foremost, engaging young users with their product for as long and as intensely as they possibly can. And they&#8217;ve designed algorithms, expressly designed one to addict kids into understanding the nature of human psychology.”
A spokesperson for TikTok <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/06/technology/tiktok-blackout-challenge-deaths.html">told</a> The New York Times that the company wouldn’t be providing comment on continuing litigation. However, the rep did reference a statement from December in which the company responded to a People magazine report about another child who allegedly died while doing the same challenge.
The statement <a href="https://people.com/human-interest/10-year-old-girl-dies-trying-blackout-challenge-from-tiktok/">said</a>, “This disturbing ‘challenge,’ which people seem to learn about from sources other than TikTok, long predates our platform and has never been a TikTok trend,” and included a link to a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5706a1.htm">CDC report</a> about children and teens dying from a “choking game” in the late 90s and early 2000s. The statement also said, “We remain vigilant in our commitment to user safety and would immediately remove related content if found. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family for their tragic loss.”
The claim that TikTok is deliberately targeting kids has been made before. Earlier this year, several bipartisan attorneys general from around the nation <a href="https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-announces-nationwide-investigation-tiktok">started</a> an investigation into TikTok over its promotion to kids. They were specifically trying to determine if TikTok was breaking state consumer protection laws and placing children in harm’s way. This year, the app is <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/parents-of-two-children-sue-tiktok-after-alleging-they-died-from-doing-blackout-challenge-11657212025?mod=lead_feature_below_a_pos1">expected</a> to make $12 billion on advertising due to its popularity among young people.
It also recently <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/tiktok-algorithm-content-maturity-ratings-rcna37878">announced</a> it would create a rating system to help stop minors from viewing inappropriate videos. It will also impact what is shown on the “For You&#8221; pages, and users will have the option to adjust their “For You” pages, which is something the lawsuit heavily discusses — that these “For You” pages can direct kids to harmful content.

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Parents Sue TikTok For Damages After Daughters Allegedly Die Doing Challenge On App

The Unanswered Question At The Center Of The SCOTUS Idaho Abortion Decision

How The Pro-Life Movement Can Positively Influence Laws Surrounding Fertility Treatments

Why Supporting Pregnant Incarcerated Women Is a Pro-Life Stand

Why Children Need Parents To Put The Phone Down And Look Them In The Eye

Postpartum Depression And The Devaluation Of Motherhood 

Why Gen Z Is Turning To Dating Apps To Find Friends, Fight Loneliness

News

Children

Death

Lawsuit

minors

TikTok

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Parents Sue TikTok For Damages After Daughters Allegedly Die Doing Challenge On App