A 24-year-old Canadian man has launched a class-action lawsuit against major social media companies, including TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook, accusing them of creating platforms that are “too addictive.”
Claiming addiction and negligence
As per the report by Dexerto, the Montreal-based law firm Lambert Avocats is representing the man, arguing that these social media platforms are deliberately engineered to elevate dopamine levels, fostering addiction among users.According to the lawsuit, the man began using social media in 2015, and since then, he claims his productivity has suffered, and he has developed body image issues.
Despite limiting his social media usage to two hours a day, the man asserts that the apps still negatively affect his sleep and overall productivity. Lambert Avocats is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, arguing that the companies were negligent in their app design, leading to users becoming overly dependent on them.
Legal uncertainty
The lawsuit’s future remains uncertain, as it requires authorization from a judge before it can proceed. Philippe Brault, a representative from Lambert Avocats, emphasized the widespread nature of the issue, was quoted as saying, “In 2024, it’s estimated that humanity as a whole will be using social media for a total of 500 million years. That just goes to show that it’s not a problem for a certain number of individuals, it’s a widespread problem for everyone.”
Brault also pointed out that 52% of Canadian children aged seven to 11 use social media, underlining the importance of prioritizing user health and safety for platform owners.
A growing legal trend
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal trend in Canada, where concerns over the impact of social media are increasingly being addressed in the courtroom. In another significant case, four school boards in Ontario are suing TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat, claiming that these platforms “disrupt the education system.” The schools are seeking $4.5 billion in damages, reflecting the growing scrutiny of social media’s role in society.
Claiming addiction and negligence
As per the report by Dexerto, the Montreal-based law firm Lambert Avocats is representing the man, arguing that these social media platforms are deliberately engineered to elevate dopamine levels, fostering addiction among users.According to the lawsuit, the man began using social media in 2015, and since then, he claims his productivity has suffered, and he has developed body image issues.
Despite limiting his social media usage to two hours a day, the man asserts that the apps still negatively affect his sleep and overall productivity. Lambert Avocats is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, arguing that the companies were negligent in their app design, leading to users becoming overly dependent on them.
Legal uncertainty
The lawsuit’s future remains uncertain, as it requires authorization from a judge before it can proceed. Philippe Brault, a representative from Lambert Avocats, emphasized the widespread nature of the issue, was quoted as saying, “In 2024, it’s estimated that humanity as a whole will be using social media for a total of 500 million years. That just goes to show that it’s not a problem for a certain number of individuals, it’s a widespread problem for everyone.”
Brault also pointed out that 52% of Canadian children aged seven to 11 use social media, underlining the importance of prioritizing user health and safety for platform owners.
A growing legal trend
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal trend in Canada, where concerns over the impact of social media are increasingly being addressed in the courtroom. In another significant case, four school boards in Ontario are suing TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat, claiming that these platforms “disrupt the education system.” The schools are seeking $4.5 billion in damages, reflecting the growing scrutiny of social media’s role in society.
Source : Times of India
