Canfield board authorizes participation in social-media and video-game litigation

The Canfield Local Board of Education on Oct. 8 adopted Resolution 46-2026 authorizing the district to participate in litigation against certain social-media companies and video-game makers over alleged design features that contribute to youth addiction and school impacts.

Board Member Alquist moved the resolution and said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages that, if successful, could be used by districts to fund counselors, resilience programs and other student supports. He told the board there is no cost to the district to join the litigation and that the attorneys would be paid from any recovery. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Context and scope: the motion as presented names large social-media platforms and the stated rationale is districts have incurred costs associated with counseling, bullying and other student supports linked by plaintiffs to platform design. The district noted peer districts in the county, including Youngstown City and Campbell, have already joined or considered joining similar litigation.

Next steps: staff will complete the paperwork necessary to join the litigation and monitor developments; any recovery would be subject to allocation and legal fee arrangements that would be determined if the case produces a recovery.