TikTok criticized after Perez Hilton livestreams self-harm

TikTok is facing widespread criticism after celebrity blogger Perez Hilton livestreamed himself engaging in self-harm on the platform Tuesday night. Viewers pleaded for Hilton, 48, to stop the broadcast, which prompted local authorities to respond to his Miami, Florida, home. He was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

In the aftermath, numerous social media users and influencers have voiced outrage over TikTok's handling of the situation. Instagram user Gina Luciano called the livestream "disgusting and disturbing," questioning how long it remained active and stating, "It just goes to show you that that app promotes bullying." Luciano urged others not to watch any clips of the event, emphasizing, "It's not content. It's not entertainment. It's a cry for help."

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I find it disgusting and disturbing that TikTok allowed that livestream to go on for as long as it did. It just goes to show you that that app promotes bullying.

Another Instagram user, Dana Bowling, questioned whether a class-action lawsuit could be filed against TikTok for exposing users, including teens, to such trauma. "No one should be ok with this," she stated.

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Don’t watch that video, don’t watch any clippings of that live stream. It’s not content. It’s not entertainment. It’s a cry for help.

While some users claimed the livestream lasted over 30 minutes, a TikTok spokesperson disputed this, stating the broadcast was approximately half that duration. The spokesperson asserted that TikTok's automated moderation systems flagged the content within minutes, referring it to the US moderation team. Subsequent livestreams were removed within 90 seconds, and Hilton's account was permanently banned.

The company confirmed it alerted local law enforcement and that the livestream violated its community guidelines against content depicting or promoting suicide or self-harm. Despite TikTok's actions, screen recordings of the footage have circulated on other platforms like X and Instagram, leading users to advise others to disable video autoplay and mute mentions of Hilton to avoid triggering content.

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Can we file a class action suit against TikTok for exposing adults and teens to that trauma…? No one should be ok with this.

Many users have also focused on providing support, encouraging those struggling with mental health issues to seek help. TV personality Tefi Pessoa advised on her Instagram story: "If Perez Hilton’s live triggered you in any way, please call 988. There is help, I promise. I love you."

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If Perez Hilton’s live triggered you in any way, please call 988. There is help, I promise. I love you.