TikTok Ordered to Hand Over Influencer Files: What Parents Need to Know
Federal pressure on TikTok just intensified. If your child has struggled with social-media-related mental-health issues, learn why this ruling could impact future settlements—and how you can protect your family’s rights.
What Happened?
A California federal judge has ordered TikTok to produce internal documents concerning Eugenia Cooney, a creator with more than 2.8 million followers who publicly battles anorexia. The files could reveal how the platform monitored (or failed to monitor) her collapsed livestream after she visited TikTok’s New York offices in May.
Why the Judge Stepped In
- Plausible internal investigation. The court said it is “plausible” TikTok launched an internal review given the livestream collapse, press coverage, and likely user complaints.
- TikTok resisted disclosure. The company argued the documents were irrelevant or burdensome to produce. The judge disagreed and compelled production.
Connection to the Nationwide Social-Media MDL
The order is part of a massive multidistrict litigation (MDL) that consolidates claims against TikTok, YouTube, Meta, and Snapchat. Plaintiffs allege these platforms are addictive by design and knowingly endanger young users’ mental health.
YouTube also on the hook
In the same ruling, the judge directed YouTube to hand over documents tied to two witnesses who worked on content moderation and age-verification efforts, further widening discovery into how tech giants handle child safety.
What the Plaintiffs Want to Prove
Lawyers for affected families say the disclosures will show whether the platforms:
- Tracked the fallout from harmful content and influencer incidents,
- Took any concrete steps to protect teens afterward, or
- Chose to prioritize engagement metrics over user well-being.
Why This Matters for Parents and Guardians
If the documents reveal that TikTok knew or should have known about potential harms yet failed to act, it could strengthen claims for damages or injunctive relief. In plain terms, the more evidence of corporate knowledge, the easier it becomes to prove liability and secure meaningful settlements—or policy changes that make these apps safer for kids.
Next Steps in the Litigation
TikTok must now gather and turn over the ordered files. The court may hold further hearings if disputes arise over redactions or missing records. Similar discovery fights are expected with the other defendants as plaintiffs dig deeper into algorithm design, content recommendations, and age-verification practices.