Blogger Perez Hilton Self-Harmed During Live TikTok Broadcast
Emergency services were called to the home of blogger Perez Hilton in Miami late Tuesday after he broadcasted himself self-harming on TikTok for 30 minutes. The platform faced intense criticism for its slow response.
Emergency services were called late Tuesday night to the home of gossip blogger Perez Hilton in Miami, after viewers reported that he was harming himself with a knife during a live broadcast on TikTok. The broadcast lasted 30 minutes before it was cut, during which Hilton, 48, appeared naked, covered in blood, and holding a knife.
TikTok faced harsh criticism from users for continuing to broadcast the live stream. "We believe TikTok should bear some responsibility for allowing Perez Hilton's broadcast to continue for 30 minutes. It is absolutely insane," one user wrote on social media. Another user added: "We need a class-action lawsuit because TikTok left Perez Hilton's video on the air for over 30 minutes. There were children watching this video."
As of this writing, his TikTok account has been suspended. During the broadcast, Hilton told viewers he was killing himself, while users begged him to stop. Thousands of users watched the stream and reported it repeatedly, but the account was only suspended after about half an hour.
TikTok's official safety policy states: "We do not allow the display, promotion, or sharing of plans for suicide or self-harm." The platform's guidelines also prohibit nudity.
Alongside reports to TikTok, concerned viewers flooded the local Miami police with calls. A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office stated that in incidents where a person is in a mental health crisis, officers prioritize de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to minimize the risk of harm.
Hilton was subsequently taken to a local hospital and is receiving treatment. His representative stated: "We are aware of the disturbing content circulating online involving our client. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of Perez, as well as the well-being of his family members. We appreciate everyone's concern and ask to respect his privacy at this time."
The incident sparked criticism of TikTok's monitoring mechanisms. According to an Oxford University study, nearly three-quarters of young people who encountered self-harm content online did not search for it, but were exposed to it through their social media feeds. In the UK, the government has announced that it may ban those under 16 from using certain social networks by next spring.
Suicide is a preventable phenomenon. If someone in your environment is in a crisis, do not hesitate—talk to them, encourage them to seek professional help, and emphasize the importance of this step. You can reach out to community professionals or national support organizations: ERAN—by phone 1201 or for WhatsApp inquiries: 052-8451201, Sahar—https://sahar.org.il or on WhatsApp: 055-9571399.
