In a growing global reckoning about the social media age, French authorities have launched a criminal investigation into TikTok, focusing on potential harms to minors’ mental health and alleged failures to protect young users. This legal move reflects mounting pressure across Europe to hold big tech platforms accountable — a push backed by the sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA), the European Union’s flagship digital regulation aimed at reshaping how online platforms operate.
🇫🇷 France’s Criminal Investigation into TikTok
In late 2025, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened a criminal probe into TikTok, following complaints and legal actions from families and parliamentary probes into the psychological effects of the platform on children. At issue are allegations that TikTok’s algorithm may have promoted harmful content, including material that could contribute to self-harm or suicide among minors. The Paris cybercrime brigade is examining whether TikTok violated French law by inadequately moderating content and failing in its duty to protect vulnerable users.
Under French legal standards, this kind of investigation could lead to criminal charges against individuals or the company, potentially resulting in significant fines or prison sentences if wrongdoing is proven. French officials have not yet named specific defendants, but the inquiry underscores increasing concerns among lawmakers, parents, and mental health advocates about platforms that use powerful recommendation systems and addictive features.
This national action parallels broader European efforts to scrutinise social media design and safety — notably under rules enshrined in the Digital Services Act.
🇪🇺 The Digital Services Act: Europe’s New Digital Rulebook
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a major European Union regulation that came into force to create a safer, more transparent, and accountable online space for citizens and businesses across all 27 EU member states. It applies to every online intermediary — from small websites to global social networks — but places the most stringent obligations on “very large online platforms” (VLOPs) such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and others with more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU.
At its core, the DSA aims to:
- Protect citizens’ fundamental rights online, including transparency in content moderation and clearer mechanisms for users to appeal platform decisions.
- Safeguard minors, requiring platforms to minimise exposure to harmful content and ban targeted advertising directed at children.
- Combat illegal content, such as hate speech or dangerous materials, through efficient reporting and removal systems.
- Increase transparency and choice, such as giving users the option of non-personalised content feeds on large platforms.
- Ban deceptive “dark patterns” — interface tricks that manipulate users into unwanted actions.
Unlike traditional five-year legislative programs, the DSA is already active, and enforcement has begun: major platforms including X (formerly Twitter) have been fined for breaches of the DSA, highlighting that European regulators are prepared to clamp down on non-compliance.
How France’s Probe Relates to the DSA
France’s criminal investigation into TikTok arises against this backdrop of stricter digital regulation. The country’s legal action overlaps with EU enforcement efforts, as the European Commission has also flagged TikTok for potential violations of the DSA — particularly concerns that addictive design elements like infinite scroll and personalised recommendations may encourage compulsive use and expose minors to harm.
Under the DSA framework, regulators can investigate platforms for systemic risks, including threats to physical or mental wellbeing, as well as lack of adequate controls or transparency on how content is recommended and presented. Platforms found in breach of DSA obligations face fines of up to 6% of global annual revenue and may be required to implement corrective measures.
The DSA’s focus on accountability goes beyond enforcement: it seeks to institutionalise safeguards, such as age-appropriate protections, content transparency, and data access for independent researchers — all aimed at preventing long-term harm.
Significance and Broader Impact
The convergence of national criminal probes and European regulatory action marks a new era in digital oversight. France’s investigation could set a legal precedent for how platforms are held accountable under national law, especially regarding mental health and child safety.
Meanwhile, the DSA represents a broader shift in global digital governance — one that balances innovation with citizens’ rights, safety, and democratic integrity. By institutionalising risk assessments, complaint mechanisms, and transparency obligations, the EU aims not just to penalise wrongdoing but to reshape platform behaviour at scale.
Together, these developments underline the growing consensus that social media cannot operate without robust safeguards — especially where young people and vulnerable populations are concerned.
This article integrates reporting on France’s legal actions regarding TikTok’s impact on minors with details of the EU Digital Services Act, based on official sources and corroborating news reports.
