Princeton Schools To Sue Social Media Giants For Negative Impact On Students
PRINCETON, NJ — On Tuesday, the Princeton Board of Education passed a resolution authorizing litigation against some of the biggest social media platforms in the country.
The school district will file a lawsuit against Meta (Facebook), TikTok, and other social media platforms, seeking monetary and non-monetary damages for “harm caused” to students.
According to the school district, the widespread access and use of social media among public school students has increased dramatically, leading to significant risks of anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, and suicidal ideation among students
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This has led the school district to devote substantial resources to addressing students’ deteriorating mental health.
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“District’s students’ widespread adoption, consumption, and use of social media has caused the District to incur costs in the form of staff time, disciplinary proceedings, emotional and social counseling, medical services, and other costs, with the expectation that these costs will only increase unless and until student use of social media is reduced or the social media platforms reform their practices in attracting students,” the resolution says.
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The resolution allows Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. to proceed with filing the litigation against the social media platforms.
Princeton joins over 100 school districts from across the country who have sued social media companies for fueling the mental health crisis among students.
The first lawsuit was filed last year by Seattle Public Schools and since then, others have joined as well.
Board president Dafna Kendal told the community that Business Administrator Matt Bouldin informed the BOE about other districts pursuing the lawsuit. After much deliberation, PPS decided to sue the social media platforms as well.
Kendal noted that in the coming years, with more students slated to join the school district, the demand for mental health services will increase. The school district will need funds for additional crisis management and counseling services.
“We’re all trying to do our part, and maybe it’s time for the social media companies to do theirs as well,” Kendal said.
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