Four UK families have launched a lawsuit in the US against TikTok, alleging the platform played a role in the wrongful deaths of their children.
They claim their children died after attempting the so-called “blackout challenge,” a dangerous trend they had reportedly seen on the app.
The lawsuit names Archie Battersbee, 12, Isaac Kenevan, 13, Maia Walsh, 13, and Julian “Jools” Sweeney, 14, all of whom died in 2022. Three of the deaths occurred within just 45 days of each other.
TikTok has denied any connection, insisting that challenges promoting dangerous behaviour have been blocked from its platform since 2020.
A spokesperson stated that the app does not allow content that encourages harm and prevents users from searching for related hashtags, instead redirecting them to the platform’s Safety Centre.
However, the parents of the victims are demanding access to their children’s TikTok data, believing it is key to uncovering the truth.
TikTok maintains that privacy laws prevent the retention of personal data unless required for business operations or law enforcement investigations.
The parents involved in the lawsuit—Hollie Dance (Archie’s mother), Lisa Kenevan (Isaac’s mother), Liam Walsh (Maia’s father), and Ellen Roome (Jools’ mother)—are determined to hold TikTok accountable.
Lisa Kenevan, who lives in Essex, believes it is no coincidence that multiple deaths happened in such a short time frame. Hollie Dance shares similar concerns, suggesting the app’s algorithm may have pushed the challenge to their children.
Speaking about her son, Ms Dance recalled Archie as a “sports fanatic” and a talented gymnast. On 7 April 2022, after returning from a restaurant, she stepped away for a brief phone call.
Within minutes, she found Archie unresponsive. He remained on life support for four months before passing away.
Isaac Kenevan’s mother, Lisa, remembers her son as an “old soul, always curious.” The day he died is permanently etched in her memory. After calling him for dinner and receiving no response, she broke down the bathroom door with a hammer and discovered him unconscious.
Nearly three years after his death, Lisa and her family continue to struggle with the loss. However, she believes Isaac would be proud of their campaign for justice.
Both Lisa and Hollie now work together to promote safer internet use, regularly visiting schools to meet with parents.
Lisa urges families to delay their children’s access to social media for as long as possible, warning that young minds are not yet equipped to handle the content they may encounter.
She also advocates for stricter age verification on social media platforms to protect children from harmful trends.
While TikTok maintains that safety is a top priority, investing over $2 billion in safeguarding measures this year, families affected by the tragedy remain determined to seek answers and accountability.
