Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000743/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Mathilde Androuët (PfE), Viktória Ferenc (PfE), Enikő Győri (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Catherine Griset (PfE), François-Xavier Bellamy (PPE), Hans Neuhoff (ESN)
Research has highlighted an explosion in mental health disorders in young people over the last decade.
Seven French families have recently sued TikTok with that concern in mind: two of their children committed suicide, four have attempted suicide and another child is suffering from anorexia. The families cite overexposure to harmful content as a result of recommendations made on the basis of algorithms.
Despite serious concerns over the role that algorithms are playing in the increase in mental health disorders among young people, researchers are finding it difficult to establish a causal link between the various forms of social media activity and the emergence of the disorders.
A major obstacle is the lack of access to studies, tests and data on the algorithms used in social media, even though the Digital Services Act – which has been in force since 2022 – gives researchers that right of access.
In the light of the foregoing:
Can the Commission tell us what progress has been made in the investigations into TikTok and Meta, which may have failed to meet their obligation to allow researchers access to data?
Supporter[1]
Submitted: 18.2.2025
- [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Angéline Furet (PfE)