OK HB1983

Requires public schools in Oklahoma to teach media literacy and cybersecurity education including instruction on identifying online scams (phishing, catfishing, malware, ransomware), fraudulent emails and websites, password security, personal information protection, fake news identification, and deepfake/AI detection.

Mandates students entering sixth grade in the 2027-2028 school year and thereafter complete a one-half (1/2) unit media literacy and cybersecurity course during grades 6-8.

Allows school districts to exempt students who transfer into Oklahoma from out-of-state during or after eighth grade, though districts are encouraged to still offer the instruction.

Requires the State Board of Education to adopt curriculum standards for media literacy and cybersecurity that incorporate the specified instruction areas into state academic content standards.

Directs the State Department of Education to develop guidelines, materials, professional development programs, and resources for schools and teachers, and mandates the State Board submit a report outlining the standards to legislative leadership within 30 days of completion.

Effective date: November 1, 2025.