Five grieving British families have launched a landmark lawsuit against TikTok in a Delaware court, accusing the social media giant of promoting deadly content to their children. This marks the first time UK families have taken legal action against TikTok in the U.S., seeking justice for the tragic deaths of their children allegedly linked to the platform’s algorithm.
Three parents—Ellen Roome, Lisa Kenevan, and Liam Walsh—are representing the families during a critical hearing that could determine whether the case proceeds. At issue is TikTok’s alleged role in promoting harmful content like the infamous Blackout Challenge, which encourages users to intentionally restrict their breathing to the point of passing out.
Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools died in April 2022, believes the challenge contributed to his death. She said she once thought her son was simply watching dance videos and silly content, only to learn after his death that TikTok may have exposed him to dangerous trends. She has since become an advocate for stronger online safety laws, including “Jools’ Law,” which would require social media platforms to preserve children’s data after their deaths.
The lawsuit claims TikTok refused to release critical data that might show what the children viewed in their final days. If TikTok’s motion to dismiss the case is denied, it could be forced to turn over internal documents and user data during discovery.
TikTok responded with a statement expressing sympathy and insisting it does not allow harmful content, noting it removes 99 percent of policy-violating posts before users report them. It also claims the Blackout Challenge was never trending on its platform.
As the families continue their legal fight in the U.S., efforts to legislate change in the UK are gaining momentum. Jools’ Law is now under review in the House of Lords. The families argue that if tech companies have nothing to hide, they should cooperate—without forcing grieving parents to fight across continents for the truth.
