Relating to public K-12 education; to require each local board of education to prohibit students from accessing social media platforms through Internet access provided through the schools under the jurisdiction of the local board; and to amend Section 16-6B-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide certain students with instruction on social media risks and safety as a required course; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style..
Impact
If enacted, HB 489 would substantially affect existing educational policies and practices within Alabama's K-12 school system. Schools would need to implement new regulations regarding internet use on campus, along with developing a structured curriculum for teaching social media risks. This could lead to an increased focus on digital literacy and responsible online behavior, thus promoting a healthier educational environment for students while preparing them for the challenges of digital interactions in broader society.
Summary
House Bill 489 mandates that local boards of education in Alabama prohibit students from accessing social media platforms using school-provided internet. This measure is introduced in response to growing concerns over the risks associated with social media use among minors. The bill aims to establish a safer online environment for students by limiting exposure to potential dangers and distractions present on these platforms. Additionally, it introduces a required course for students in grades nine through twelve, focused on age-appropriate instruction regarding the risks of social media as well as safe usage guidelines.
Contention
Proponents of the bill argue that restricting social media access is essential for protecting students from various online threats, including cyberbullying, exposure to misinformation, and negative impacts on mental health. However, opponents may raise concerns regarding the effectiveness and implications of such restrictions, questioning whether they infringe on students' rights to access information and communicate freely. Additionally, there is potential debate over the bill's impact on students' understanding of effective online engagement and the skills needed in a digitally interconnected world.
Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use and storage policy
Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use policy
Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act, providing for a nontraditional high school diploma option for students 17 years of age and older who withdraw from school through the Adult Education Division of the Alabama Community College System; to provide for the sharing of data on students who drop out of high school; and to provide that participating students are eligible for driver's licenses
Public K-12 education; violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation instruction required before graduation from high school, State Board of Education required to adopt standards
Alabama Teacher Paperwork Streamlining Act, State Department of Education required to develop unified digital platform for consolidating and sharing documentation relating to the Alabama Literacy Act, Alabama Numeracy Act, Individualized Education Programs, and other educational programs
Campus chaplains; public K-12 schools authorized to hire or accept as volunteers, local boards of education and governing bodies authorized to vote on whether to allow, limitations provided