02:40 PM EDT, 03/28/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with statement from Snapchat fourth paragraph onward)

Meta Platforms ( META ) , TikTok owner ByteDance, and Snapchat parent Snap (SNAP) are facing a lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Canada over allegedly addictive products.

"Endemic social media use is causing an unprecedented youth mental health crisis," the Toronto District School Board said in its complaint filed Wednesday, according to media reports.

The damages being sought by school districts in Toronto, Ottawa, and the Peel Region total about 4.5 billion Canadian dollars, ($3.32 billion), the reports said.

A Snapchat spokesperson told MT Newswires the platform was designed to be different from traditional social media.

"While we will always have more work to do, we feel good about the role Snapchat plays in helping close friends feel connected," the spokesperson said.

Meta Platforms ( META ) and ByteDance did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires.

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