Social Media Lawsuit Announced by Canadian School Boards

Today, Peel District School Board, together with Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board announced a lawsuit against social media and technology companies Meta (Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp), Snap Inc., and ByteDance (TikTok) for disruption to the education system. Collectively, we allege that these companies have negligently designed and marketed addictive products that have disrupted the mandates and obligations of school boards to enhance student achievement and well-being. 

The lawsuit states; "As parents/guardians, many of you know firsthand the impact that social media platforms have had on student development, mental health, safety and emotional well-being. We have found that educators are spending more time addressing social media-related issues in the classroom. Administrators are adjusting the curriculum to accommodate students’ changing needs, including attention, focus, and mental health concerns. These shifts are putting significant strain on the board’s limited resources."

While in its early stages, this litigation calls on social media companies to make their products safer and compensate the school boards for the disruptions they have caused. A favourable result will further support educators in creating a safe and positive learning environment for students, leading to successful future outcomes.