A mother pursuing legal action against TikTok concerning her 14-year-old son’s death expressed frustration at the need to seek answers internationally. Ellen Roome suspects her son, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, may have succumbed to a social media challenge mishap but faces barriers to accessing his account. She is part of a group of five British families suing TikTok over the alleged wrongful deaths of their children.
In an interview with The Mirror, Roome, based in Cheltenham, shared that she believes her son would appreciate her efforts to seek justice not only for him but also for other children worldwide. She criticized TikTok for its reluctance to release crucial data, questioning the platform’s integrity and transparency.
Jools was discovered unconscious in his room in April 2022, with an inquest later determining his death as a probable suicide. Roome, actively pursuing answers since 2024, emphasized the emotional toll of the ordeal and the families’ collective quest for closure.
The lawsuit, initiated last year, centers on the tragic deaths of Jools, Isaac Kenevan, Archie Battersbee, Maia Walsh, and Noah Gibson, all linked to the “blackout challenge.” While TikTok asserts it has blocked such content since 2020, Roome and other families are litigating in Delaware due to ByteDance’s incorporation there.
Roome highlighted the upcoming hearing as pivotal, with TikTok attempting to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds. If unsuccessful, the lawsuit may progress to the discovery phase, potentially compelling TikTok to disclose internal records and account data, a process that could span years.
Roome’s advocacy extends to the UK with the proposal of “Jools’ Law,” advocating for the preservation of a child’s online data posthumously. This initiative aligns with Baroness Beeban Kidron’s efforts to introduce an amendment demanding automatic data preservation upon a child’s demise, currently under parliamentary consideration.
TikTok responded by expressing condolences to the affected families and reaffirming its commitment to prohibiting harmful content. The company reiterated compliance with UK data protection laws while emphasizing proactive measures to eliminate dangerous material.
For mental health support, individuals can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.