Four prominent school boards in the province of Ontario, Canada, have taken legal action against social media giants TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat, asserting that these platforms are significantly disrupting student learning. The lawsuits, initiated on Thursday, target Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, along with Snap Inc., the owner of Snapchat, and ByteDance Ltd., which owns TikTok.
The Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board are the entities behind the legal challenge. Their claims revolve around the assertion that platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are intentionally designed to encourage compulsive usage, consequently altering the cognitive and behavioral patterns of children. Teachers, they argue, are left grappling with the fallout from these effects on their students’ ability to learn.
Rachel Chernos, a trustee for the Toronto District School Board, highlighted concerns about social withdrawal, anxiety, attention deficits, cyberbullying, and other mental health issues observed among students. She emphasized the addictive nature of the platforms, accusing the companies of marketing strategies that specifically target young people.
Simultaneously, similar legal battles are underway in the United States, with numerous states, including California and New York, suing Meta Platforms Inc. for its alleged contribution to a youth mental health crisis through features on Instagram and Facebook that purportedly foster addiction among children.
The Canadian school boards are seeking damages exceeding $4 billion Canadian dollars (approximately US$2.9 billion), citing the disruption caused to student learning and the education system at large.
Snap Inc. spokesperson Tonya Johnson defended Snapchat’s role, stating that the platform facilitates connections among users without traditional public metrics like likes or comments. However, representatives from Meta and ByteDance have yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuits.
Duncan Embury, a lawyer representing the school boards, highlighted the addiction issue stemming from the platforms’ algorithms. He called for improved warnings, adjustments to age restrictions, and increased resources for schools to address these challenges. Embury accused the companies of prioritizing engagement metrics over the well-being and education of young users.
The pervasive use of social media among teenagers is well-documented, with Pew Research Center data indicating nearly universal adoption among U.S. teens, with a significant portion reporting near-constant usage.
The mounting concerns over the impact of social media on youth mental health prompted U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to call for immediate action to safeguard children from its harms.
In a separate development, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning social media accounts for children under 14 and mandating parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds, effective January 1, although legal challenges are expected.
The outcome of the Canadian lawsuits remains uncertain, with attorneys set to receive compensation only in the event of a successful verdict.
