PROTECTING STUDENTS IN A DIGITAL AGE. (NEW)

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 959 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 10, 2025
AN ACT TO PROMOTE INTERNET SAFETY, TO REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS, AND TO REQUIRE REGULATION OF STUDENT USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.
Intro. by Blackwell, K. Hall, Biggs.
Status: Conf Com Appointed (Senate action) (Jun 19 2025)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Submitted by iveybyrd on

Previous title was AN ACT TO PROMOTE INTERNET SAFETY AND TO PROVIDE SOCIAL MEDIA LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Bill History:

H 959

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill H 959 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: May 21 2025 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

    Moves language proposed in GS115C-47(70) that required local boards of education to adopt polices on internet safety into new GS 115C-102.10. Now requires local boards of education to adopt polices for student access to the internet on devices or internet services provided by the local school administrative unit (was, for student access to the internet provided by the local school administrative unit). Makes clarifying and technical changes to the listed minimum requirements for those policies and also amends the provision related to the use of TikTok to now prohibit the use of the TikTok application and to prohibit employees of local boards of education from using TikTok for any job-related duties, including classroom instruction or communications or promotions of school clubs, extra-curricular activities, or athletics. Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-47 by requiring local boards of education to adopt policies for internet safety according to new GS 115C-102.10.

    Amends proposed GS 115C-81.26 to require that the standard course of study include (was, required local boards of education to provide) instruction on social media and its effects on health. No longer specifies that such instruction may be included as part of the mental and the emotional health instruction provided under GS 115C-81.25. Changes the effective date of the statute so that it now applies beginning with the 2026-27 school year instead of the 2025-26 school year.

    Adds new GS 115C-76.100 (regulation of wireless communication devices) requiring governing bodies of public school units to establish a wireless communications policy prohibiting students from using, displaying, or having a wireless communication device turned on during instructional time, subject to certain exceptions. Permits student use of a wireless communication device during instructional time if authorized by the teacher for educational purposes or in the event of an emergency; as required by the student’s Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan; or as required to manage a student’s health care, in accordance with a documented medical condition. Authorizes confiscation of the wireless device and disciplinary measures for violations of the wireless communications policy. Requires schools to: (1) send the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) by September 1st, a copy of their policy and (2) to provide DPI with a copy of the policy any time it is changed. Requires DPI to report the number of public school units in compliance with the act and the names of the those not in compliance to the named NCGA committee by October 1st of each year. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year. 

    Makes conforming changes to the act’s titles.

    Education, Elementary and Secondary Education
    GS 115C
  • Bill H 959 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: May 6 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 115C-47(70) requiring the local boards of education policies to be on student access to the internet provided by the local school administrative unit (was, provided by the school district). Amends the requirements for those policies to require prohibiting access by students to data or information maintained by the local school administrative unit (was, just prohibit access by students to data or information in general); also makes organizational and clarifying changes.

    Education, Elementary and Secondary Education
    GS 115C
  • Bill H 959 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Apr 11 2025 - View Summary

    Amends GS 115C-47 to require local boards of education to adopt policies for student access to internet provided by the school district. Policies must:

    1. Limit access by students to only age-appropriate subject matter and materials.
    2. Protect the safety and security of students when accessing email, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication.
    3. Prohibit access by students to data or information by "hacking" and other unlawful online activities.
    4. Prevent access to websites, web applications, or software that does not protect against the disclosure, use, or dissemination of a student's personal information.
    5. Prohibit and prevent students from accessing social media platforms through the use of internet access provided by the local school administrative unit, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.
    6. Prohibit the use of the TikTok platform or any successor platform on devices owned or provided by the local school administrative unit, through internet access provided by the unit, or as a platform to communicate or promote any unit or school sponsored club, extracurricular organization, or athletic team.

    Creates new GS 115C-81.26 to require each local board of education to provide instruction—once in elementary school, once in middle school, and twice during high school—on social media and its effects on health, including social, emotional, and physical health. Enumerates specific content that must be included in the instruction.

    Applies to the 2025-2026 school year. 

    Education, Elementary and Secondary Education
    GS 115C
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