TikTok facing lawsuit after 10-year-old dies in viral ‘blackout challenge’

Summary

A lawsuit against TikTok, stemming from the tragic death of 10-year-old Nyla Henderson, is moving forward after an appeals court decision. Nyla died in 2021 after participating in the viral 'Blackout Challenge,' which involved choking oneself until losing consciousness. Her mother, Towanda Anderson, claims TikTok's algorithm promoted this dangerous content to her daughter. The case highlights concerns about the responsibility of social media platforms for the content they recommend, especially for vulnerable users like children. The outcome could have significant implications for how social media companies are held accountable for their algorithms and user safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 A tragic incident occurred when 10-year-old Nyla Henderson died after attempting the 'Blackout Challenge' on TikTok.
• 😀 Nyla's mother, Towanda Anderson, has been fighting for justice and accountability for her daughter's death.
• 😀 The Blackout Challenge dared participants to choke themselves until losing consciousness, and it went viral on TikTok.
• 😀 Despite legal protections for social media platforms under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, this lawsuit challenges TikTok's responsibility.
• 😀 A Supreme Court ruling in 2024 made it clear that algorithms used by platforms like TikTok are protected as free speech.
• 😀 However, the ruling also implies that if the algorithms promote harmful content, the platforms may still be held accountable for the results.
• 😀 Anderson’s lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm directly recommended the Blackout Challenge content to Nyla.
• 😀 The legal argument asserts that TikTok is engaged in its own 'first-party speech' by selecting and promoting specific content to users.
• 😀 A Philadelphia appeals court recently revived the lawsuit, allowing it to proceed to trial, which could have major implications for social media companies.
• 😀 The case is part of a broader effort by the family to ensure that companies like TikTok use their technology responsibly to protect children online.
• 😀 Since 2021, at least 15 children under the age of 12 have died attempting the Blackout Challenge, highlighting the dangers of such viral trends.

Q & A

What tragic event sparked the legal case discussed in the script?

The legal case was sparked by the tragic death of 10-year-old Nyla Henderson, who died after attempting the 'Blackout Challenge' on TikTok.

What is the Blackout Challenge, and how is it related to TikTok?

The Blackout Challenge is a dangerous viral trend where individuals are dared to choke themselves until they lose consciousness. It became widely popular on TikTok, leading to Nyla Henderson's death and other similar incidents.

How does the lawsuit claim TikTok was involved in Nyla Henderson's death?

The lawsuit claims that TikTok's algorithm targeted Nyla by recommending Blackout Challenge content to her, which contributed to her decision to attempt the dangerous challenge.

What is Section 230, and how does it relate to the case?

Section 230 is a federal law from 1996 that generally shields social media companies from liability for content uploaded by third parties. However, the case challenges whether TikTok can be held accountable for the content promoted by its algorithm.

What recent Supreme Court ruling affected the legal landscape for social media platforms?

A recent Supreme Court ruling suggested that social media platforms' algorithms, which recommend content, are protected as speech of the platforms themselves, potentially making these companies liable for the content promoted by their algorithms.

What did the appeals court in Philadelphia decide regarding the lawsuit?

The appeals court in Philadelphia revived the lawsuit, ruling that TikTok's algorithm-driven content recommendations constitute the platform's own speech, which could make TikTok liable for the outcomes of those recommendations.

How does the lawsuit hope to impact the responsibility of tech companies like TikTok?

The lawsuit aims to hold tech companies accountable for ensuring the safety of children online, urging them to use their technology to protect users from harmful content like the Blackout Challenge.

What is the broader significance of this case in terms of social media and legal responsibility?

The case could set a legal precedent for social media platforms' liability for harmful content promoted by their algorithms, potentially reshaping how companies like TikTok handle user safety and content recommendations.

How many children have reportedly died from attempting the Blackout Challenge, and since when?

According to Business Week, at least 15 children under the age of 12 have died as a result of attempting the Blackout Challenge since 2021.

Why did Nyla Henderson's mother, Towanda Anderson, continue to fight for justice?

Towanda Anderson has been fighting for years to get justice for her daughter, Nyla, and to ensure that tech companies like TikTok are held accountable for promoting dangerous content that harms children.