12 Ontario school boards and two private schools sue major social media platforms for $8bn, accusing them of designing products for compulsive use and disrupting learning.

Back-to-school season highlights ongoing concerns over social media's impact on education and mental health. As smartphone penetration among adolescents increases, concerns grow over time spent on platforms leading to issues like lower self-esteem, academic performance, and exposure to mature content. Last year, four Ontario school boards sued TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook for $4.5bn, accusing them of negligently designing products for compulsive use and disrupting learning. The group of plaintiffs has grown to 12 school boards and two private schools, seeking over $8bn. The allegations have not yet been proven in court.

August 18, 2024
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