The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill filed by Rep. Aron Maberry (R-Clarksville-District 68) and Senator Bill Powers (R-Clarksville-District 22) proposes that the department of education develop a curriculum to instruct 6-12th grade students enrolled in schools in LEAs or public charter schools about social media and internet safety.
HB0825/SB0811, dubbed the “Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act”, would require the education department’s curricula to include topics like:
– Time management and healthy behaviors on social media
– Potential negative effects of social media on mental health, including addiction to social media
– How social media manipulates behavior
– The permanency of sharing materials online
– Safe usage of social media (including maintaining personal security, preventing oversharing, and identifying predatory behaviors & human trafficking)
– Understanding potential misinformation when using artificial intelligence
It does provide that benefits of social media may be taught so long as those benefits are limited to, “(1) Career and resume building for future academic or employment opportunities; (2) Sharing information with family and friends; and (3) Safely connecting with other users with similar interests.”
The text of the Act specifically defines “social media” to mean, “a form of interactive electronic communication through an internet website or application by which a user creates a service-specific identifying user profile to connect with other users of the internet website or application for the purpose of communicating and sharing information, ideas, news, stories, opinions, images, videos, and other content.”
Development of the curricula would be required by January 1, 2026, and implementation by schools would begin in the 2026-2027 school year.
A parent may submit a written request to opt their child out of some or all potions of the curriculum and, “A student who is excused from any or all portions of social media and internet safety instruction shall not be penalized for grading purposes if the student satisfactorily performs alternative lessons.”
But the Act doesn’t stop there. It would also seek to, “prohibit students from accessing social media through the use of internet access provided by the LEA or public charter school, except when expressly authorized by a teacher and solely for educational purposes.”
It would further aim to limit student internet access to only “age-appropriate” material and subjects, amongst other internet safety precautions.
Internet access and smartphone usage in schools has seen significant debate in the General Assembly. No previous bills attempting to block cell phone usage in schools have passed, and the two that were filed for consideration this session, HB0013 and SB0018 have both been withdrawn.
The Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act was filed for introduction in both chambers on 2/4 and has passed the House on first consideration. There are presently not any committee assignments listed.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
As dear Mom, RIP, oft said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”.
Doubt this’ll have the intended effect.