Five Ontario school boards and two private schools have taken legal action against tech giants Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, alleging that these platforms are producing harmful and addictive products that negatively impact students’ mental health and disrupt their education.
The lawsuits were filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, York Catholic District School Board, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Ottawa Catholic School Board, District School Board of Niagara, Holy Name of Mary College School in Mississauga, and Eitz Chaim. These legal actions follow similar lawsuits filed earlier in the year by other school boards in Ontario.
The school boards claim that social media companies prioritize profits over student well-being and are seeking $2.6 billion in damages from Meta (Facebook, Instagram), Snap, and ByteDance (TikTok). Meta has stated its commitment to creating safe online experiences for teens, TikTok has highlighted its safety measures, and Snap has emphasized the positive impact of Snapchat.
In response to concerns about excessive cellphone use among students, the Ontario government recently announced new rules to limit phone use in schools starting this fall. The regulations stipulate that Grade 6 students and below must keep their phones off or silent during the school day. Students in Grades 7 to 12 can only use their phones between classes or during lunch with teacher permission. Violations of these rules may result in disciplinary action.
The lawsuits argue that social media companies should have foreseen the negative impacts of their products on students’ sleep patterns and brain development. The legal representation for the school boards is being provided by Toronto-based Neinstein LLP. If damages are awarded, the firm will cover legal fees with no cost to the school boards.
These legal actions are part of a larger movement called Schools for Social Media Change, which aims to hold social media tech giants accountable for their impact on education. Carrie Hughes-Grant, head of school at Holy Name of Mary in Mississauga, emphasized the need for acknowledgment from tech companies regarding the addictive nature of their technology.
Similar lawsuits against tech giants have been filed in the U.S., citing concerns about app addiction among children. While none of these lawsuits have been successful so far, there is a growing awareness around balancing screen time with other activities to promote healthy habits among children.
