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 has taken legal action against ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, after learning about incidents where children’s deaths were linked to challenges on the social media platform. Following the unclear circumstances surrounding the death of her 14-year-old son, Jools Sweeney, Ellen attempted to access his social media accounts but was met with resistance from tech companies.
Together with other parents who are grieving, Ellen has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok to not only retrieve their children’s data but also to hold the platform accountable for the content it allows. In her pursuit for answers, Ellen emphasized the need for transparency and parental rights when dealing with multinational technology corporations.
Despite TikTok’s efforts to dismiss the case, citing US laws that limit liability for third-party content, the legal battle continues in Delaware, where TikTok is registered. Following an emotional first court hearing, Ellen expressed her determination to uncover the truth about her son’s final moments, stressing the importance of knowing what transpired during that critical time.
After discovering her son unconscious in his room, Ellen was left grappling with the aftermath of his sudden death. Motivated by the need for closure, she pursued access to Jools’ app data, encountering challenges and delays from social media platforms. Her relentless pursuit for answers led her to sell her business and embark on a quest for justice, including seeking a fresh inquest to access her son’s data.
Although the online challenge believed to be linked to the tragedy has been banned on TikTok since 2020, Ellen and other parents remain resolute in seeking accountability and transparency from social media platforms. TikTok expressed condolences to the affected families and reiterated its strict prohibition on content that promotes unsafe behavior. Further inquiries have been made to TikTok for additional comments.