According to a report from the Prince William Times on September 21, the schools in Prince William County, Virginia, have announced that they are expected to receive over $500,000 as part of a settlement, which is linked to the major investor of e-cigarette manufacturer Juul, Altria. Previously, Altria had been involved in numerous lawsuits filed by various school districts across the United States.
According to a statement issued by the school district on September 21st, this lawsuit seeks compensation for the expenses incurred by the school in dealing with student smoking, as these issues have “caused significant problems for the school department”.
In addition to reaching a settlement with Altria, the Prince William County School Board has also agreed to take legal action against various social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
In a statement, it was noted that “these measures reflect an increasing concern among school districts nationwide regarding the detrimental effects of social media on students’ mental health and academic performance.
William’s County School authorities have expressed concern over the alarming rise in negative social, emotional, and psychological effects on their student community due to social media. In a statement, they highlighted the need for education leaders to take action by filing lawsuits against companies creating and promoting content targeted at children.
By initiating this lawsuit, the school board aims to “hold these companies accountable for their role in exacerbating student mental health crises and the responsibility of school authorities in addressing these issues,” the statement said.
