In a recent decision, the Buncombe County Board of Education has decided to join a multi-district lawsuit against major social media companies. This decision was made during their meeting on June 6, 2024, following a detailed presentation by attorney Gary Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker, representing the law firm Levine, Papantonio, Rafferty, highlighted the negative impacts of social media on students and urged the board to join the lawsuit.
Legal Counsel and Board Deliberation
During the deliberations, the board received legal counsel from their private attorney Mr. Chris Shatley of the law firm Campbell Shatley, PLLC. Mr. Shatley discussed the potential benefits of the lawsuit and emphasized that safeguarding students’ well-being justifies the associated costs, although these costs have not yet been assessed.
Objectives and Intent of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit aims to address the detrimental effects of social media on students’ mental health, citing issues such as increased absenteeism, substance abuse, behavioral problems, and mental health crises. The primary objective of the lawsuit is to seek monetary compensation for the additional resources needed to address these issues in schools. Moreover, the lawsuit demands specific changes in social media companies’ practices, such as better age verification, improved parental controls, and the regulation of algorithms that promote addictive behaviors.
Concerns About Transparency and Costs
While the board has expressed confidence in the potential benefits of the lawsuit, some community members have raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the costs involved. They argue that the board should have waited until after a thorough assessment of the costs before agreeing to join the lawsuit.
This decision places Buncombe County Schools among a growing number of school districts nationwide taking legal action against social media giants.
