Four major school boards in Ontario, Canada, have taken legal action against TikTok, Meta, and SnapChat, alleging that these social media platforms are negatively impacting student learning. The lawsuits claim that platforms like Facebook and Instagram are designed for compulsive use, leading to a rewiring of children's behavior and thinking patterns, ultimately affecting their ability to learn. The school boards involved in the lawsuits are the Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
The lawsuits seek damages for the disruption caused to student learning and the education system. The school boards accuse the social media companies of acting recklessly and without regard for the well-being of students and the education system. Meta Platforms Inc., which owns Facebook and Instagram, Snap Inc., the owner of SnapChat, and ByteDance Ltd., the owner of TikTok, are the defendants in these legal actions.
In the United States, several states, including California and New York, are also suing Meta Platforms Inc. for allegedly contributing to a youth mental health crisis by designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to their platforms. The lawsuits highlight the harmful impact of social media on young people and emphasize the need for accountability from tech companies.
While Snap Inc. defended Snapchat by stating that it helps users stay connected with friends and promotes a positive social experience, representatives from Meta and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The legal action underscores the growing concern over the influence of social media on youth, with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy calling for immediate action to protect children from the negative effects of social media.
Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds, reflecting a broader effort to address the impact of social media on young users. The lawsuits in Canada and the U.S. signal a shift towards holding social media companies accountable for their role in shaping the well-being and education of young people.
