Four of the largest school boards in Ontario, Canada, announced Thursday that they have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, Meta and SnapChat, accusing the social media platforms of interfering with student learning.
The lawsuit says platforms like Facebook and Instagram are “designed for compulsive use, rewiring the way children think, behave, and learn,” and that their influence is left to teachers to manage. claims that it is in charge of
Meta Platforms Inc. owns Facebook and Instagram, Snap Inc. owns SnapChat, and ByteDance Ltd. owns TikTok.
Rachel Chernos, director of the Toronto District School Board, said teachers and parents are noticing social withdrawal, anxiety, attention issues, cyberbullying and mental health issues.
Major social media outlets such as TikTok and YouTube are fueling a “youth mental health crisis,” and the board of education is suing in a lawsuit.
“These companies are intentionally creating addictive programs to target and sell to young people, causing significant harm, and we cannot continue to remain silent and speak out about this.” I can’t,” she said.
Dozens of U.S. states, including California and New York, have also intentionally and intentionally designed features on Instagram and Facebook to make children addicted to their platforms, harming young people and causing a mental health crisis among young people. He is suing Metaplatforms for contributing to the
The Canadian school boards suing are the Toronto District School Board, Peel District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Friday, March 17, 2023, at the TikTok Inc. building in Culver City, California. Four Canadian school boards have filed a lawsuit against TikTok, Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, alleging that the technology companies are intentionally creating addictive programs. (AP Photo/Damien Dovarganes)
They are seeking more than C$4 billion (US$2.9 billion) in damages for interference with student learning and the education system.
Snap spokeswoman Tonya Johnson said Snapchat helps users stay connected with friends.
“Snapchat is not a feed of content, it’s direct access to the camera, and there are no traditional public likes or comments,” she said. “While we always have more work to do, we are pleased with the role Snapchat plays in helping our closest friends feel connected, happy, and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence. I am.”
Representatives for Meta and ByteDance did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
In a statement, Duncan Embery, a lawyer with the firm who is representing the board, said the world’s most advanced technology developers are trying to keep young people on their platforms at the expense of their health and well-being. He said he deliberately and inadvertently designs his products to maximize the time spent. education.
“Social media companies should be held accountable for their negligence and the harm they have caused to schools and the community at large,” he said.
Poll reveals that most Americans support housing plan to ban TikTok if it doesn’t sell
Social media use among teenagers is nearly universal in the United States and many other parts of the world. According to Pew Research Center, nearly all teens ages 13 to 17 in the U.S. report using social media platforms, and about one-third use social media “almost all the time.” The answer is yes.
In May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on technology companies, parents and caregivers to “take immediate action now to protect children” from the harms of social media.
This week, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning social media accounts for children under 14 and requiring parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. The bill takes effect on January 1 and is expected to face legal challenges.
Lawyers handling Canadian cases will not be paid unless they win the case.
