CA AB2071

Requires California middle and high schools offering health education courses to include instruction on digital wellness alongside existing mental health curriculum requirements

Defines "digital wellness" as using technology in ways that support physical health, mental health, social connections, and quality of life while minimizing potential harms

Digital wellness instruction must cover core principles and the relationship between technology use and mental health, with optional topics including screen time effects, cyberbullying, AI-generated content recognition, and online safety

Requires the State Department of Education to develop a plan by January 1, 2028 to expand digital wellness instruction statewide, including curriculum frameworks, family engagement components, and assessment methods

Legislative findings cite concerns about youth mental health impacts from excessive digital media use, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and exposure to algorithmic manipulation and misinformation