Four major school boards in Ontario, Canada, have filed lawsuits against TikTok, Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram), and SnapChat, claiming that these social media platforms are causing disruptions to student learning.
The lawsuits argue that platforms like Facebook and Instagram are designed for compulsive use, rewiring the behavior and learning patterns of children, leaving teachers to manage the negative consequences. Meta Platforms Inc. owns Facebook and Instagram, while Snap Inc. owns SnapChat, and ByteDance Ltd. owns TikTok.
Rachel Chernos, a trustee for the Toronto District School Board, highlighted concerns about social withdrawal, anxiety, attention issues, cyberbullying, and mental health problems observed among students and emphasized the addictive nature of these platforms, particularly for young users.
In the United States, several states, including California and New York, have also filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc., alleging that Instagram and Facebook features are contributing to a youth mental health crisis.
The four Canadian school boards involved in the lawsuits are seeking damages exceeding $4 billion Canadian dollars (approximately US$2.9 billion) for the disruption caused to student learning and the education system.
Snap Inc. responded, stating that Snapchat fosters connections among friends and features a camera-focused interface without traditional public likes or comments. However, representatives of Meta and ByteDance have not yet commented on the lawsuits.
Duncan Embury, a lawyer representing the school boards, emphasized the addictive nature of social media algorithms and stressed the need for proper warnings, age restrictions, and increased resources for school boards to address these challenges.
The prevalence of social media use among teenagers is widespread, with almost all teens in the U.S. using a social media platform, according to the Pew Research Center. This concern has prompted calls for action from public health officials and policymakers, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently signed a bill to regulate social media use among minors.
The attorneys handling the Canadian lawsuits will only receive payment if they succeed in their legal efforts.
