Fourteen school boards in Ontario have the green light to continue pursuing a lawsuit against the operators of Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.
An Ontario Superior Court Justice has dismissed a motion by the social media giants to dismiss the case, allowing it to proceed to trial.
The school boards allege that social media services are disrupting student learning and the education system.
They claim social media companies have forced school boards to divert resources to address issues caused by social media sites.
“The statistics, if true, and the methods and outcomes of social media on the learning environment reveal broad effects that impact not only the immediate access to the right to an education, but to the futures of many young people,” stated Justice Janet Leiper in her decision.
“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.”
The boards want changes that keep students safe and compensation for the losses related to tackling the problems created.
The Rainy River District School Board is among the boards involved in the suit.
