Canadian School Boards Filed $4.5 Bn Lawsuit Against Social Media Platforms
Four Canadian school boards filed a $4.5 billion lawsuit against social media giants including TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta alleging they are disrupting student learning by providing addictive content. The lawsuit claims that Meta platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are designed for compulsive use which has rewired the children”s thinking, behavior, and learning process.
Notably Meta Platforms Inc. owns Facebook and Instagram, while Snap Inc. owns SnapChat and ByteDance Ltd. owns TikTok.
Impacts of social media overuse on children
The school board asserted that teachers and parents are noticing social withdrawal, anxiety problems, cyberbullying, and mental health issues among the children. They alleged that the programs created by these companies are aimed and marketed at young people which is causing significant harm to children.
In May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on tech companies, parents, and caregivers to take immediate action to protect kids now from the harms of social media. Studies have shown links between screen time use in children and disrupted sleep, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and effects on attention and memory.
Parental role
Though, boards have sued social media platforms some experts say that the onus is also on parents to reflect on their social media use. Parents are modeling social media habits to their children with excessive use. In a study conducted by Pew Research, half of the parents surveyed admitted to spending too much time on their phones.
“Sharenting” has become very common since the development of so-called mommy bloggers and family influencers. The word “sharing” has been used to characterize parents who post details of their children”s lives online. However, scientists have shown that during the pandemic, it sharply increased. Sharenting became more commonplace as individuals grew accustomed to attending virtual events. This also harms kids from their sense of self and deprives them of the privacy they need.
U.S. response toward protection of children
Not only in Canada, dozens of U.S. states including California and New York are also suing Meta Platforms Inc. for knowingly and deliberately designing features on their sites to addict children.
Republican Florida gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14 and 15-year-olds.
Social media companies’ response
A Snapchat Inc. spokeswoman responded that, Snapchat opens directly to a camera rather than a feed of content with no traditional public likes or comments. She also said that the platform plays a role in connecting friends and preparing adolescents to face challenges.
A TikTok spokesperson said to CBC Toronto about the platform’s safeguards, such as parental controls. “Our team of safety professionals continually evaluate emerging practices and insights to support teens” well-being and will continue working to keep our community safe,” the spokesperson told CBC.
Notably, the said amount by the boards will not be released by the social media Inc. till the lawsuit is settled.
