In a significant move reflecting rising concerns about social media's impact on youth, the French Parliament has initiated a national consultation to assess public opinion on the popular platform TikTok. Launched on April 23, 2025, the consultation aims to gather insights into how TikTok affects the mental health of young users, particularly those under the age of 24, who make up 70% of its user base in France.
The online survey, which will remain open until May 31, 2025, poses questions such as "Are there difficulties in refraining from using TikTok?" and "To what extent do you think that the content provided is modified in some way?" This initiative is part of a broader effort by the parliamentary mission to understand and potentially limit harmful content directed at children and adolescents.
Arthur Delaporte, a member of the Socialist Party and head of the investigative committee, emphasized the importance of this engagement, stating, "The National Assembly seeks to be connected with society, responding to its expectations, ambitions, and interests." The results of the consultation will provide crucial data for the committee's evaluation of TikTok's influence, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
In recent months, TikTok has faced increasing scrutiny, highlighted by a series of lawsuits filed by French families alleging that the platform's content is harmful and addictive. Seven families initially filed a lawsuit in November 2024, claiming that TikTok's inadequate supervision contributed to the mental health decline of their children, culminating in tragic outcomes, including suicides. This prompted four additional families to join the legal action in March 2025.
The parliamentary inquiry aims to address these serious allegations and understand the psychological effects of TikTok on its young audience. The platform's addictive nature and the potential for harmful content have raised alarms among parents and lawmakers alike, leading to calls for greater accountability from social media companies.
Meanwhile, in a separate yet related issue, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited the Notre-Dame de Betharram Catholic school in the Béarn region of southwestern France, where new evidence has emerged regarding a long-standing embezzlement case involving the school's administration. This case has resurfaced due to allegations against Nahel Merzouk's father, who is under investigation for his potential involvement in the school's financial misconduct from 1998.
Attal's visit comes in the wake of revelations published by the online newspaper Mediapart, which presented documents and testimonies contradicting previous claims made by the Prime Minister regarding his knowledge of any violent or sexual misconduct at the institution. Notably, Nahel's sister, Ilan Baralan, has come forward, stating that their father met with the judge overseeing the investigation into the school's alleged abuses.
The juxtaposition of these two issues illustrates a growing concern in France regarding the safety and well-being of its youth, both in educational settings and through social media. As the government grapples with these challenges, the outcomes of the TikTok consultation and the Notre-Dame de Betharram investigation could have lasting implications for policy and public trust.
In the case of TikTok, the platform's immense popularity among younger demographics poses unique challenges for regulators. The consultation aims not only to assess user experiences but also to explore the broader implications of social media on youth culture and mental health.
As discussions unfold, many are watching closely to see how the French government will respond to the findings of the consultation and the ongoing investigation into the school. Will new regulations emerge to protect young users from potentially harmful content? And how will the government address the allegations of misconduct at educational institutions?
These questions remain at the forefront of public discourse as France navigates the complexities of modern technology and its impact on society. The outcomes of these inquiries could set a precedent for how social media platforms operate and how educational institutions manage their responsibilities toward students.
As the consultation continues, lawmakers are urged to consider the voices of the young users themselves. Engaging with the concerns and experiences of this demographic may lead to more effective policies that prioritize mental health and well-being in an increasingly digital world.
Ultimately, the interplay between social media usage and mental health is a pressing issue that demands attention. The findings from the TikTok consultation, alongside the developments in the Notre-Dame de Betharram case, are likely to shape the future of how France approaches these critical challenges.