Amendment ID: S3164-23

Amendment 23

Social Media Curriculum

Ms. Kennedy, Ms. Edwards and Mr. Keenan move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting the following section:-

“SECTION XX.  (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be established a task force on a curriculum framework for kindergarten through twelfth grade public school students. The task force shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education, including but not limited to: (i) safe and proper usage of personal electronic devices; (ii) safe usage of social media; (iii) influences of personal electronic devices on health and wellbeing; (iv) how personal electronic devices can be a tool for learning when used properly; and (v) media literacy.

 (b) The task force shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on education, who shall serve as co-chairs; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education, or a designee; the commissioner of public health, or a designee; the president of the Massachusetts teachers association; president of the American Federation of Teachers – Massachusetts; one member from the Governor’s Youth Advisory Counsel; the executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, or designee; 5 members appointed by the governor, 2 of whom are educators and 3 of whom represent organizations who work with middle school age youth – with regional diversity from across the commonwealth,

(c) The department of elementary and secondary education, in coordination with the task force, shall create or update curriculum frame work and standards related to the use of personal electronic devices, social media, and media, including but not limited to: (i) safe and proper usage of personal electronic devices; (ii) safe usage of social media; (iii) influences of personal electronic devices on health and wellbeing; (iv) how personal electronic devices can be a tool for learning when used properly; and (v) media literacy. This curriculum shall be implemented by the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year and shall be mandatory for students in seventh and eighth grade."