Ontario Schools Launch Landmark Lawsuit Against Tech Titans

In a groundbreaking move, the public district school boards of Toronto, Peel, and Ottawa-Carleton, in conjunction with Toronto’s Catholic counterpart, have collectively filed statements of claim seeking approximately $4.5 billion in damages from Meta Platforms Inc., Snap Inc., and ByteDance Ltd. These companies operate Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, respectively.

Allegations include the facilitation and promotion of cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content dissemination.

Rachel Chernos Lin, Chair of the Toronto District School Board, emphasized on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning the deliberate creation of addictive products by these social media companies, tailored specifically towards children. She underscored the urgent need for accountability and the development of safer products.

Under the banner of a newly formed coalition named “Schools for Social Media Change,” the school boards contend that students are facing an “attention, learning, and mental health crisis” due to excessive usage of social media platforms. Allegations include the facilitation and promotion of cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content dissemination.

The legal action asserts that these platforms are purposefully engineered to expose vulnerable students to distressing content, including topics such as self-harm, substance abuse, and sexual exploitation. As a consequence, schools are burdened with significant financial strains, necessitating additional investments in mental health programs, IT infrastructure, and administrative resources.

Notably, similar lawsuits have been initiated by numerous school boards in the United States, reflecting a growing global concern over the impact of social media on young people’s well-being. Meta Platforms Inc. has previously faced accusations of exacerbating the youth mental health crisis through features on Instagram and Facebook designed to foster addiction.

In response, Snap Inc. defended Snapchat’s distinctive features, highlighting its focus on fostering genuine connections among users while minimizing traditional social media metrics like public likes and comments.

Represented by Neinstein LLP, the Ontario school boards emphasize that they will not bear any costs associated with the litigation unless successful outcomes are achieved. Duncan Embury, a partner at Neinstein, emphasizes the novelty of this legal challenge in Canada and anticipates potential future actions from other educational institutions.

While the Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, has expressed disagreement with the school boards’ legal strategy, parents within the Toronto District School Board echo concerns about the negative influence of social media on children. As discussions continue on regulatory measures, the lawsuit signifies a pivotal moment in addressing the complex intersection of technology and education in the digital age.