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Boerne ISD reviews joining multi-district litigation accusing social platforms of youth harms
Summary
Boerne ISD trustees heard a presentation from staff about joining a nationwide multi-district lawsuit alleging major social media platforms design addictive algorithms that harm student mental health; trustees expressed interest but took no action, asking staff to consult legal counsel and return the item on a future agenda.
Boerne ISD trustees on June 9 heard a presentation from Krista Pomeroy outlining pending multi-district litigation that seeks damages from five major social media companies over alleged addictive algorithms and youth mental-health harms. Pomeroy told the board the case groups include personal-injury plaintiffs, school districts and state attorneys general and that more than 500 districts nationwide had joined as of May 1.
Why it matters: Pomeroy said the litigation is pitched as a way to recover costs districts may face from unfunded mandates — from increased IT monitoring and threat response to added counseling and revised curriculum. "There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses for the district," she told the board, adding that attorney fees would be contingent on any recovery and that Mo Casey has partnered with law firms to gather district PEIMS data, reducing district time commitment.
Board reaction and context: Trustees asked about the litigation timeline and local implications; Pomeroy said attorneys expect court activity beginning in October. Several trustees expressed support for joining given low district risk and concern about student well-being. Trustee discussion referenced The Anxious Generation and whistleblower testimony previously given to Congress about platform algorithms.
Local supports and district response: Pomeroy described the district's ongoing social-media safety work — monitoring tools (Lightspeed, P3), counseling, assemblies, parental guidance and a local Police and Community Together (PACT) group that meets monthly to coordinate wraparound services. She said the district already sees declines in student mental health that staff sometimes attribute to social media.
Next steps: Trustees requested legal counsel review and indicated the matter will return on the board agenda for a future vote — no formal action was taken at the June 9 workshop.
Representative quote: "This litigation is pending in order to go after the big 5," Pomeroy said, listing "Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Snap."
