Amendment ID: S2561-10

Amendment 10

Media Literacy

Messrs. Cyr and Collins and Ms. Rausch move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting the following sections:-

“SECTION X. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-             

Section 103. (a) Each public school or district shall adopt a curriculum regarding the education of its students about the social, emotional and physical risks and harms of social media use. The curriculum shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in the following areas:

(1) identifying misinformation, evaluating the credibility of digital content and sources, and understanding media bias;

(2) understanding digital footprints, data privacy, and the consequences of online activity;

(3) examining the social, emotional and mental health impacts of social media and digital technology use;

(4) analyzing the function and influence of algorithms, recommendation systems and platform design on online behavior and information exposure;

(5) practicing ethical digital behavior, including responsible communication, online safety, and civic responsibility in digital spaces.

(b) The curriculum regarding the education of its students about the social, emotional and physical risks and harms of social media use shall be prescribed by the school or district and approved by the school committee, board or other appropriate governing body prior to taking effect; provided, however, that if no policy is approved by the school committee, board or other appropriate governing body by September 1, the department’s model policy shall go into effect until such time as a local policy is approved.

(c) The department, in consultation with the attorney general’s office and the department of public health, shall provide guidance, recommendations and a model policy to assist schools and districts with developing and implementing effective social media use education policies and shall make such guidance and recommendations publicly available on the department's website.”

“SECTION X. Not later than December 31, 2027, the department of elementary and secondary education shall report to the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education on the implementation social media use curriculums pursuant to section 103 of chapter 71 of the General Laws"