Ann Arbor Schools Join Legal Action Against Social Media Giants
In a significant move to tackle mental health concerns linked to digital platforms, Ann Arbor Public Schools have allied with numerous districts nationwide in a federal lawsuit against major social media companies. The school board’s unanimous decision on February 4 underscores their commitment to addressing these issues.
The lawsuit targets companies behind TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, accusing them of prioritizing user engagement over the well-being of young users. The board’s resolution highlights the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which associates these platforms with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, while also noting their role in cyberbullying and addiction-like behaviors.
Board vice president Glynda Wilks expressed concerns about the targeting of students during school hours. “I believe that based on the information that we received, I know that social media companies are really targeting our students during the school day when they really should be focused on learning,” she stated.
Recent legislative measures in the state mandate schools to devise strategies for smartphone restrictions during school hours. In contrast, board president Torchio Feaster believes that financial consequences for these companies would address the root problem more effectively. “The way I think that you really hit a company and get them to stop doing something is not to put the phone in the pouch, but it’s to hit them in the pocketbook,” Feaster remarked.
Echoing this sentiment, board trustee Susan Baskett noted, “I mean, you can get over bad press. You can, you know, you’ve got marketing teams to do that. But when it hits your financial bottom line, that’s when people take notice.”
Ann Arbor is not alone in this legal endeavor. At least 12 other Michigan school districts, including Dexter Community Schools and Detroit Public Schools, have joined the lawsuit. Additionally, both the state of Michigan and Oakland and Monroe Counties are listed as plaintiffs.
Feaster revealed that legal counsel assured AAPS of no financial burden unless the lawsuit succeeds. Efforts to obtain comments from Meta, Snap Inc., and ByteDance are ongoing.
