LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Thursday, the Little Rock School District held a special board meeting to discuss whether or not to join a national lawsuit, which alleges mega-companies like TikTok, Meta and Snapchat are hurting kids.
The lawsuit, based out of California, claims social media giants need to be held accountable and focuses on limiting students' screen time. Several school districts nationwide have joined, including Fayetteville Public Schools.
"We are taking on the social media industry," said Marlon Kimpson with the Motley Rice Law Firm. "Who has designed algorithms for children to become addicted."
A South Carolina law firm is gathering complaints from around the country to go head-to-head against leaders in the social media industry.
LRSD Board Member Anna Strong provided insight from health experts regarding the effects of social media on kids.
"We were told by health experts [that] there is no direct causal relationship between social media, at this time, and mental health issues," Strong said.
The lawsuit claims these companies are a public nuisance for schools, saying districts are incurring extra costs for mental health and security because of social media's impact on kids' behaviors.
If won, the lawsuit would provide monetary compensation to those involved.
But LRSD isn't sure whether they want to sign on just yet, as board members have tabled the decision for a future meeting.
The law firm said they do not have a deadline for when LRSD needs to decide. They also won't make the school pay anything unless they win. If that happens, the law firm would get a portion of what the court awards the school for compensation.