MI HB5431

Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, school district boards and public school academy boards must include age-appropriate internet safety instruction at least once per school year for grades 3-12.

Boards determine the scope and duration of lessons, which may be incorporated into existing courses; schools are encouraged to begin before 2015-2016.

The legislature recommends covering topics including safe social media use, recognizing online predators, protecting personal information, avoiding deceptive communications, cyberbullying, illegal activity reporting, and copyright laws.

By the beginning of 2014-2015, the Department of Education must make available resource materials including handouts, worksheets, slideshows, and videos on child online safety topics.

Resource materials may be developed from or adapted from materials created in other states, by state attorneys general, education experts, school psychologists, and technology companies, and shall be posted on the department's website.