Waterloo Region school boards have yet to join in on lawsuits filed against social media giants
Posted Nov 20, 2024 06:10:43 AM.
Last Updated Nov 20, 2024 06:20:46 AM.
12 school boards across Ontario have taken legal action against social media giants like Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok, and local school boards and monitoring the situation closely.
The dozen Ontario school boards all filed lawsuits individually, but in total the amount they are seeking has grown to more than $8 billion.
In a statement released by the Toronto District School Board, one of the 12 boards involved, they allege the social media companies have “negligently designed and marketed addictive products” that disrupt their mandates to enhance student achievement and well-being.
Locally, both the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) are yet to take legal action of their own, but statements issued to 570 NewsRadio indicate that they’re watching the situation closely.
“At this time, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has not made any decision to pursue or not pursue similar legal action. Our Trustees continue to monitor the situation carefully and are aware of the ongoing discussions on this matter,” explained the WCDSB.
“We do acknowledge that the impact of social media use on students is an increasing concern. The well-being of our students is always a top priority, and we recognize the challenges social media can present, including negative influences on mental health and social interactions. We will continue to evaluate the situation and explore ways to mitigate the challenges posed by social media, ensuring that our actions always reflect the best interests of our students and their families.”
The WRDSB stated that they are following the advice of counsel and will monitor the lawsuits as they proceed.
Since a handful of schools first launched their lawsuits back in March, the list has now grown to include the following school boards: Dufferin-Peel Catholic, York Catholic, Trillium Lakelands, Ottawa Catholic, District School Board of Niagara, Simcoe County, Kawartha Pine Ridge and Rainy River.
