TikTok Sued Over ‘Blackout Challenge’ That Led to 10-Year-Old’s Death

A mother from Pennsylvania has filed a lawsuit against TikTok following the tragic death of her 10-year-old daughter, who passed away after attempting the dangerous ‘blackout challenge,’ a viral trend on the platform. The lawsuit accuses TikTok of facilitating access to this deadly content through its algorithm, leading the girl to participate in the risky activity. TikTok has responded to the lawsuit by stating that the ‘blackout challenge’ is not a trend that originated on their platform. The company expressed condolences to the affected family and affirmed its commitment to user safety. A spokesperson for the social media network indicated they would remove any related content if found on the platform. The lawsuit was initially dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania due to the protection provided by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which shields platforms from user-generated content. However, a recent Supreme Court ruling has altered this protection, allowing the case to proceed in court. The ‘blackout challenge’ involves holding one’s breath until passing out, a challenge that has resulted in numerous deaths worldwide. Tawainna Anderson, mother of Nylah Anderson, claims that TikTok’s algorithm promoted the challenge on the ‘For You’ page, directly contributing to the tragedy. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok designed its platform to promote dangerous content despite the clear risk.