School Intelligence Hub
School Board Liability Brief

Digital Safety Legal Obligations

Controlling case law, mandatory federal and state obligations, and documented liability exposure for school boards. Every citation is to a publicly available court record or regulatory document.

800+ School Districts Are Currently in Active Litigation

Over 800 US school districts have joined MDL 3047 suing Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok for student mental health harm. Districts that cannot demonstrate active digital safety protocols face compounded exposure.

Controlling Case Law

Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education

526 U.S. 629 (1999)

Title IX peer harassment / deliberate indifference

Plaintiff prevailed — Supreme Court

Board Relevance

Foundational precedent. Applies to online peer harassment where district has notice and fails to act.

Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District

524 U.S. 274 (1998)

Title IX — teacher-student harassment

Defendant prevailed — Supreme Court

Board Relevance

Establishes that districts with no digital safety complaint procedure face heightened liability exposure.

San Francisco USD v. Meta, Google, Snap, TikTok

Filed Jan 2024, N.D. Cal. — MDL 3047

Public nuisance / negligence / products liability

Pending

Board Relevance

Sets template for 800+ districts now suing platforms. Districts with documented safety protocols are better positioned as plaintiffs.

Doe v. Natrona County School District No. 1

No. 1:23-cv-00089 (D. Wyo. 2023)

Negligence / Title IX deliberate indifference

Motion to dismiss denied — Pending

Board Relevance

Direct sextortion case. Establishes that failure to act on reported sextortion within school context creates Title IX exposure.

Mandatory Legal Obligations

Title IX Complaint Procedure

Required

20 U.S.C. § 1681; 34 C.F.R. § 106.45

CIPA Compliance — Internet Safety Policy

Required

Children's Internet Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 254(h)

California AB 2291 — Cyberbullying Response

Required

Cal. Ed. Code § 48900(r), § 48900.2

FERPA — Student Data Privacy

Required

20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 C.F.R. Part 99

Mandated Reporter Obligations

Required

Cal. Penal Code § 11166; 42 U.S.C. § 13031

Legal Disclaimer

This brief is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. All case citations are to publicly available court records accessible via PACER, Westlaw, or official court websites. School boards should consult qualified legal counsel before making policy decisions. TeenAegis does not represent any party in any of the cases cited.