A mother in mourning is pleading with TikTok to allow her access to the content her teenage son was viewing on his mobile device just before his passing. Ellen Roome is challenging ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, after discovering reports connecting children’s deaths to online “challenges” on the social media platform. Following the unclear circumstances surrounding her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney’s death, Ellen attempted to access his social accounts, only to face resistance from tech companies.
Together with other grieving parents, Ellen has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok not only to retrieve their children’s data but also to demand increased accountability regarding permissible content on the platform. Despite the tech giant’s efforts to dismiss the case, citing US laws that shield liability for third-party content, the legal battle proceeds in Delaware, TikTok’s place of incorporation.
Ellen, visibly distraught, left the courtroom in tears after the initial hearing. She expressed her frustration, stating that parents should not have to endure such obstacles to uncover the truth about their children’s untimely deaths. Ellen’s quest for answers stems from finding Jools unconscious in their home in April 2022, leading to his tragic passing.
In the aftermath of Jools’ demise, Ellen learned about dangerous online challenges, such as the “blackout challenge,” which poses serious health risks, including death. Despite the coroner’s inability to determine if Jools had suicidal intentions, Ellen remains determined to uncover the events leading to her son’s passing.
Ellen’s pursuit for transparency has encountered resistance from social media platforms, prompting her to sell her business and dedicate herself to accessing Jools’ app data. She is also seeking a fresh inquest through the High Court to obtain further insights into her son’s activities.
Although TikTok claims to have blocked the controversial challenge since 2020 and prohibits content that encourages risky behavior, Ellen and other parents remain resolute in their fight for justice. The Mirror has reached out to TikTok for additional comments on the matter.