Image Credit: Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Legislation enhancing internet use policies for Tennessee public schools was signed into law by Governor Bill Lee on Tuesday.
The new law, effective July 1st, 2026, will require that school districts and public charter schools review their acceptable use policies twice a year and make updates as necessary.
HB1886/SB1912, sponsored by Representative Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka-District 64) and Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28), is designed to keep students safe while using the internet at school.
Along with safeguards to prevent students from using the school internet to access websites, applications, or software that does not protect the personal information of students, districts must also prohibit internet access to harmful content including that which is pornographic or obscene, overly violent or frightening for the student’s age or maturity level, promotes self-harm or just has no educational value.
Internet policies must also include safety protocols for students that are integrated into the school’s instructional program and rules designed to protect the safety and security of students who use the internet at school to access email, chat rooms, or any form of direct electronic communication online.
Guidelines must also be included for effective communication with parents to raise awareness of internet safety.
Parents of students under the age of 18 who access websites using the school internet that are a violation of the internet use policy will be notified of the prohibited access.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
