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TikTok must face U.S. lawsuit over the platform's viral “blackout challenge” that several parents blame for their children’s deaths, an appeals court ruled (www.theverge.com)

submitted 2 months ago by tardigrada@beehaw.org to c/technology@beehaw.org

35 comments fedilink hide all child comments

TikTok has to face a lawsuit from the mother of 10-year-old Nylah Anderson, who “unintentionally hanged herself” after watching videos of the so-called blackout challenge on her algorithmically curated For You Page (FYP). The “challenge,” according to the suit, encouraged viewers to “choke themselves until passing out.”

TikTok’s algorithmic recommendations on the FYP constitute the platform’s own speech, according to the Third Circuit court of appeals. That means it’s something TikTok can be held accountable for in court. Tech platforms are typically protected by a legal shield known as Section 230, which prevents them from being sued over their users’ posts, and a lower court had initially dismissed the suit on those grounds.

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[–] DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My own belief is that all social media is a cancer, and to be avoided entirely. I'm able to do that for myself, but I'm also realistic about the chances of keeping my kids away from it. So, I focus my energy on trying to equip them with the mental skills to neutralise the toxic aspects of social media.

For my 9yo, that means teaching her to employ natural skepticism and critical thinking. I'm also trying to drum into her the understanding that social media is inherently untrustworthy and unreliable, and exists solely for the benefit of the corporations that run it.

That said, I've blocked Tik Tok on my home network, much to the older kids' chagrin. They have to use mobile data if they want to access that shit on their phones.

[–] null@slrpnk.net 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My own belief is that all social media is a cancer, and to be avoided entirely. I'm able to do that for myself

You just posted this to a social media site...

[–] Scary_le_Poo@beehaw.org 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Come on dude, you know exactly what he meant. Social media is a broad category, but when someone mentions it in this context, it's very clear what they mean.

[–] null@slrpnk.net 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I disagree. I don't think it's clear at all what he considers dangerous about social media if he's excluding things like Lemmy, Reddit, and other message boards.

[–] DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Later in the same comment I mention how I think social media only benefits the corporations that run it.

It’s pretty clear what I meant.

[–] null@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 months ago

So a family group-chat, that's a no-no, right?