In an unprecedented move, four major Canadian school boards are holding some of the world’s largest social media companies accountable for the impact their platforms have on students. The boards, including Toronto District School Board, Peel District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, allege that platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram have been “negligently designed” to encourage compulsive use, negatively affecting children’s mental health and ability to learn. Seeking $4 billion CAD in damages, these lawsuits could be a critical instigator for recognizing the tech industry’s responsibility toward youth.
The influence of social media on youth isn’t just anecdotal but is backed up by a growing amount of research. These platforms have been accused of creating an “attention, learning, and mental health crisis” by rewiring how children think and act. Prolonged use has been linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation. According to US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, these platforms expose children to violent and sexual content and bullying, effectively isolating them from building meaningful relationships. Students are further experiencing distraction and a decline in academic performance.
The lawsuits aim to bring systemic change. Using scientific evidence, the boards hope to prompt tech companies to reevaluate their algorithms and design choices. However, not everyone is on board. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the lawsuits, urging educators to focus on core academic values instead. This divide highlights the ongoing debate over whether addressing social media’s impact is hindering or supporting student success.
The legal battle mirrors similar actions worldwide, such as lawsuits against Meta in the US. For educators and parents, these lawsuits are a call to prioritize children’s mental health and learning in the digital age. The results will take time, but the question remains: Should tech companies be held accountable for student wellbeing, or are there other contributing factors to consider?
Tags: Canada, debate, education, lawsuit, mental health, Meta, school, social media, studentsCategorised in: Uncategorized
This post was written by Christine Rizk