FL H0379

Each district school board must adopt an Internet safety policy that limits students to age-appropriate content, protects student safety in electronic communications, prohibits hacking and unlawful online activities, and prevents access to websites or software that could disclose students' personal information.

School districts must block student access to social media platforms through district-provided Internet, except when expressly directed by a teacher for educational purposes, and must specifically prohibit TikTok on district-owned devices, district Internet, and as a communication platform for any school-related organizations or athletic teams.

Students are prohibited from using wireless communications devices during instructional time unless expressly directed by a teacher for educational purposes; teachers must designate a specific area in the classroom for students to store wireless devices during instruction.

Public schools must provide instruction to students in grades 6 through 12 on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media, covering topics including addiction, misinformation, behavioral manipulation, permanency of online sharing, cyberbullying, predatory behavior, human trafficking, and reporting suspicious online behavior.

The Department of Education must make the social media instructional materials available online, district school boards must notify parents of their availability, and the State Board of Education must adopt rules to administer the Internet safety provisions; the act took effect July 1, 2023.