A mother in mourning is pleading with TikTok to allow her access to her teenage son’s phone activity prior to his passing. Ellen Roome is challenging ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, following reports linking children’s deaths to online challenges on the social platform. After her 14-year-old son, Jools Sweeney, died under unclear circumstances, Ellen attempted to view his social media accounts but faced obstacles from tech companies.
In collaboration with other grieving parents, Ellen has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok to not only retrieve their children’s data but also enforce stricter oversight on platform content. Expressing frustration, Ellen emphasized the difficulties parents face in seeking answers from tech giants regarding their children’s activities.
Despite TikTok’s attempt to dismiss the case, citing legal protections against third-party content liability, the legal proceedings persist in Delaware, where TikTok is registered. Following an emotional court session, Ellen remains resolute in her pursuit of uncovering the events leading to her son’s tragic demise.
Ellen’s quest for information began after discovering alarming online challenges, such as the dangerous “blackout challenge,” which can have fatal consequences if not carefully monitored. Despite the coroner’s inability to determine suicide as the cause of Jools’ death, Ellen remains determined to uncover the truth about her son’s final moments.
As Ellen continues to seek access to her son’s app data, she has taken legal action and plans to petition for a new inquest to gain further insights. While TikTok claims to have blocked the hazardous challenge since 2020, the families affected by these tragedies continue to seek accountability and closure. The Mirror has reached out to TikTok for additional comments on the matter.
