博客

[FCE] French lawmaker calls for criminal inquiry into TikTok’s effect on children | France | The Guardian

收听本期播客

阅读正文

In a striking development in France, a criminal investigation has been requested into the social media giant TikTok over concerns that it may be endangering the lives of young users. Arthur Delaporte, a lawmaker from the Socialist Party, made this call following a six-month parliamentary inquiry he co-chaired. The investigation focused on the psychological effects of TikTok on children and teenagers, gathering impactful testimonies from families, social media experts, and influencers. These accounts highlighted the potential risks posed by the platform to its younger audience.

The inquiry was prompted by a 2024 lawsuit filed by seven families who accused TikTok of exposing their children to harmful content, which they claim led to dangerous behaviors. The committee’s final report, published recently, labeled TikTok as a ‘slow poison’ for young people. It criticized the platform’s algorithms for trapping children in a cycle of damaging content, making such material far too easy to access. Another lawmaker, Laure Miller, went further, describing TikTok as an ‘ocean of harmful content’ and stressing the urgent need for protective measures.

In response to these alarming findings, the report put forward several strict proposals. One key suggestion is a complete ban on social media for children under 15 in France. For teenagers aged 15 to 18, the report recommends a ‘digital curfew,’ blocking access to social media platforms between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Additionally, it calls for a nationwide public awareness campaign and even proposes a new law to hold parents responsible if they fail to supervise their children’s online activities. Delaporte hopes these measures will ignite a wider debate across Europe on how to better regulate platforms like TikTok.

TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, has firmly rejected these claims. A spokesperson defended the platform, stating that it offers over 70 safety tools to protect teenagers and families. They also emphasized that their technology detects and removes nearly all content that breaks their guidelines. Nevertheless, this controversy has sparked significant concern about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. While TikTok argues it is not the only factor at play, many believe that stronger regulations are essential to ensure the safety of vulnerable users.

阅读练习

1. What prompted the parliamentary inquiry into TikTok in France?

  • A. A public awareness campaign
  • B. A lawsuit filed by seven families
  • C. A request from social media experts
  • D. A new law proposed by lawmakers

2. How did the committee’s report describe TikTok?

  • A. A useful tool for young people
  • B. A slow poison for its users
  • C. A platform with strict safety rules
  • D. An educational resource for teenagers

3. What is one of the measures proposed for teenagers aged 15 to 18?

  • A. A complete ban on social media
  • B. Mandatory parental supervision at all times
  • C. A digital curfew restricting access at night
  • D. A requirement to attend awareness campaigns

4. What is TikTok’s response to the accusations made against it?

  • A. They admitted that their algorithms are harmful.
  • B. They denied the claims and highlighted their safety tools.
  • C. They agreed to implement a digital curfew.
  • D. They promised to ban users under 15.

5. What broader impact does Arthur Delaporte hope the report will have?

  • A. Encourage parents to use TikTok’s safety tools
  • B. Start a discussion on social media regulation across Europe
  • C. Force TikTok to remove all content for young users
  • D. Lead to a complete ban of social media in France