Viral 'French Scar' Challenge & Why Italy Watchdog Forced TikTok To Remove Its Videos
Last year, the "French scar" challenge gained popularity among young Italian TikTok users, involving the act of pinching one's cheek to create a lasting bruise on the cheekbone, prompting an investigation by Italy's anti-trust authority.
Italy¡¯s communications authority, AGCOM, made a decisive move on Friday, compelling the popular social media platform TikTok to take down certain videos depicting a perilous trend known as the "French scar." This practice, which has garnered attention for its inherent risks, involves young individuals engaging in potentially harmful activities.
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But first let's understand what is the 'French scar' challenge and why it is dangerous.
The 'French scar' challenge
Last year, the "French scar" challenge gained popularity among young Italian TikTok users, involving the act of pinching one's cheek to create a lasting bruise on the cheekbone, prompting an investigation by Italy's anti-trust authority.
It is a self-harming practice consisting of horizontal bruises on the face that is called the French scar.
The goal of the challenge is to appear tougher and bold while pretending to have just come out of a physical fight. It is clear that what is actually achieved is a transient deformation of the face, the effects of which, however, can linger for several weeks and can even result in major skin damage.
French Scar, the latest challenge on #TikTok: kids in class with bruises on their faces. The principals' alarm #frenchscare pic.twitter.com/6WMJUFxcbU
¡ª Biologicial (@sharon_wisner) February 12, 2023
Italy watchdog forced TikTok to remove viral videos
AGCOM said its decision represented the first application of new rules approved in December, which enable the Italian watchdog to order the removal of ¡°harmful content¡± on video-sharing platforms to protect minors and consumers.
TikTok removed the videos identified as harmful within the five-day period envisaged by the rules, AGCOM said.
¡°We had already taken measures, including preventing content from being recommended to users,¡± a TikTok spokesperson told Reuters, adding that the app geoblocked the videos in Italy as requested by AGCOM.
ByteDance-owned TikTok, along with other social media giants like Meta Platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, faces global regulatory scrutiny to ensure the protection of children from harmful content on their platforms.
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