School board lawsuit against Meta, TikTok and Snapchat takes step forward

Simcoe County is one of a dozen Canadian school boards taking part in the class action lawsuit against several social media giants.

A lawsuit against social media platforms filed by multiple Ontario school boards, including the public board in Simcoe County, will go ahead after the court denied a motion to have the case dropped.

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is among a list of school boards fighting back against social media’s alleged negative impacts on students.

Since March 2024, 14 school boards have joined in the lawsuit against Meta, Snapchat and TikTok over concerns about disrupted learning and mental health issues among students.

A motion put forward by the social media giants to have the lawsuit dismissed was denied by the court, which will allow the case to move to trial.

“It is arguable that an addictive product that interferes with the mental health and educational aspirations of students is a public nuisance that requires a remedy,” wrote Ontario Superior Court Justice Janet Leiper in her decision released Friday.

Along with the Simcoe County public board, the group of plaintiffs includes Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), which encompasses Muskoka, the City of Kawartha Lakes, and Haliburton.

After joining the lawsuit in May 2024, TLDSB issued a letter alleging social media products were “rewriting the way they [students] think, act, behave and learn.” The allegations against the social media platforms have not been proven in court.

Local educators have said the lawsuit is necessary to ensure students' future success, and to hold the social media giants accountable for their influence on students.

The school boards are suing for $4.5 billion in damages, and calling for changes to social media platforms with students' safety a priority.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Meta noted the company “strongly disagrees with the allegations and believes the evidence will demonstrate our commitment to supporting young people.”

The school boards have previously confirmed they would only have to pay their legal fees in the event of a successful outcome.

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