On July 1, Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 into law. This law  was sponsored by State Representatives Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Kyle Hall (R-Forsyth), and Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), and makes three significant changes to North Carolina education policy, including:

• directing local boards of education to adopt “internet safety policies” to protect students while at school;
• directing local boards of education to adopt “wireless communication policies” that, at a minimum, prohibit students from using cell phones during instructional time at school; and
• directing that the standard course of study include instruction on the risks and harmful effects of social media on students.

“When teachers don’t have to compete with cell phones for student attention, real learning happens. This bipartisan bill gives students a distraction-free learning environment so they can focus on their education, and it provides a seven-hour mental break from the unrelenting pressures of phones and social media. . . I appreciate the General Assembly’s work here. Let’s keep working together to set up North Carolina students for success.”  ~ Governor Josh Stein in a press release

Internet Safety Policies

According to HB 959, local boards of education are directed to adopt policies to:

• Limit access by students to only age-appropriate subject matter and materials.
• Protect the safety and security of students when accessing email, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication.
• Prohibit unauthorized access by students to data or information maintained by the local school administrative unit, including by “hacking” and other unlawful online activities.
• Prevent access to websites, web applications, or software that do not protect against the disclosure, use, or dissemination of a student’s personal information.
• Prohibit and prevent students from accessing social media platforms, except when expressly directed by a teacher solely for educational purposes.

Restricting Cell Phone Use During Instructional Time

HB 959 also directs local boards of education to adopt policies that, at a minimum, will prohibit the use of cell phones and other “wireless communication devices” during instructional time at school. The bill does allow each school district to set the specific parameters for their schools with special carve outs for situations where phones are used for educational or medical purposes. Education is critical for a child’s future, yet cell phones and mobile devices have been shown to pose a substantial threat in the form of continual distraction. In 2024, 72% of US high school teachers said that cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom.

Social Media Literacy Lessons

HB 959 further directs the state to include instruction in the standard course of study “on social media and its effects on health, including social, emotional, and physical effects.”   These new lessons will focus on the dangers of social media, and will be included once in elementary school, once in middle school, and twice in high school. Topics covered will include:

• Negative effects of social media on mental health, including addiction.
• The distribution of misinformation on social media.
• Methods of manipulating behavior using social media.
• The permanency of information shared online.
• How to maintain personal security.
• How to identify cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking on the internet.
• How to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet.
• Personal and interpersonal skills or character education that enhances individual level protective factors and mitigates or reduces risk-taking or harmful behavior.

The effects of social media on mental and physical health have been well documented. Some have even compared heavy social media use to a substance abuse disorder. It is important that children are educated on these risks so that they can make responsible choices as they gain more access to mobile devices and the internet.

Conclusion

It is encouraging to see such widespread bipartisan support for this law, and NC Family is hopeful that this law will be effective in protecting children and helping to improve their educational experience.