French National Assembly launched an online survey aimed at understanding the psychological effects of TikTok on young people. This survey is part of a broader parliamentary inquiry that seeks to examine the platform’s influence, including its safety risks and potential harm to mental health. The consultation, open until May 31, is inviting both French adults and minors, or their parents, to provide feedback on their social media habits. TikTok, which is widely popular in France, has raised concerns due to its extensive use among adolescents.
Survey Aims to Assess TikTok’s Impact on Youth
The survey is designed to gather insights into how TikTok affects the mental well-being of children and teenagers, particularly its addictive nature and the quality of content moderation. One of the survey questions asks: “Do you find it difficult not to use TikTok?” and “Is content on these platforms well moderated?” With 40% of 11- to 17-year-olds in France using the app daily, lawmakers are concerned about its potential psychological effects, especially given the platform’s wide reach and the frequency with which younger users engage with it.
The Role of the Investigative Commission
The French National Assembly has tasked an investigative commission to lead this inquiry, with the findings to be published by September 2025. Renaissance party MP Laure Miller, who serves as the lead rapporteur for the commission, emphasized that this consultation presents a “unique opportunity” for the public to contribute to ongoing discussions regarding the platform’s regulation. The commission, which started its work in March, has already held several hearings involving researchers, youth advocates, journalists, and government officials to better understand the issue.
In May 2025, TikTok representatives are expected to testify before the commission. The goal is to provide recommendations for improving the platform’s regulation, particularly in terms of content moderation and safeguarding the mental health of younger users.
Legal Action and Increased Public Pressure
The inquiry follows increasing concerns about TikTok’s impact on young users. In late 2024, seven families in France filed lawsuits against the platform, alleging that it contributed to the mental health decline of their children, including reports of two teenage suicides. The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s algorithm promotes harmful and addictive content, which has a detrimental effect on young minds. In response to these incidents, the platform has faced growing scrutiny from both the public and policymakers.
In April 2025, four additional families joined the legal action, further intensifying political and public pressure on TikTok to improve its content moderation policies. These lawsuits and the ongoing investigation underscore the urgency of addressing the potential psychological risks of social media platforms, particularly for vulnerable young audiences.
TikTok’s Responsibility in Content Moderation
As concerns over harmful content and addiction rise, questions about TikTok’s responsibility in moderating material continue to surface. Critics argue that the platform’s algorithm, designed to maximize engagement, often pushes content that is sensational or psychologically damaging to young users. This has led to calls for stricter regulations and better safeguards to protect minors from exposure to harmful online content.
The French government is under increasing pressure to implement effective measures that balance the benefits of social media with the need to protect mental health. Lawmakers are exploring various regulatory options, including stricter oversight of algorithms and stronger enforcement of age restrictions.
What’s Next for TikTok in France?
The outcome of the parliamentary inquiry, including its final report due in September, will likely influence the future of TikTok in France and potentially other countries. With the growing body of evidence linking social media use to mental health challenges, especially among teens, policymakers are moving toward more comprehensive regulation of digital platforms.
The findings of the public consultation, combined with the commission’s report, will provide crucial insights into how TikTok can better protect its younger users. As social media platforms continue to evolve, the need for robust regulation and responsible content moderation remains a key concern for governments around the world.
This ongoing debate is not just about TikTok; it signals a broader conversation about the role of social media in shaping the well-being of future generations. The French inquiry is just one of many efforts to address these challenges and ensure that digital platforms do not harm the very people they aim to engage.
As the debate around TikTok’s impact on youth continues to unfold, the results of France’s public survey and the commission’s final report will be crucial in determining the platform’s future regulation. With growing concerns over mental health and addiction, both lawmakers and users are calling for more accountability from digital platforms. Only time will tell how this investigation will shape the future of social media regulation in France and beyond.
