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Tennessee House requires state guidance on social media, internet and AI safety in grades 6–12
Summary
The House passed legislation directing the Department of Education to issue guidance for local school systems and charter schools on classroom instruction about social media, internet and artificial-intelligence safety for students in grades 6–12; the bill allows parental opt-outs and prompted debate over classroom time and content restrictions.
The Tennessee House passed House Bill 825 on third and final consideration, directing the Tennessee Department of Education to develop guidance for local education agencies and public charter schools to instruct students in grades 6 through 12 on social media, internet and artificial-intelligence safety.
Sponsor Representative Rebecca Mayberry said the guidance must be developed by January 2026 and used in the 2026–27 school year. "House bill 8 25 requires the Department of Education to develop guidance for local LEAs and public charter schools to instruct students in grades 6 through 12 who are enrolled in an LEA or public charter school on social media, Internet, and AI safety by January 2026," Mayberry said on the floor.
The bill directs the department to establish recommended content that includes time management, healthy digital habits, mental health risks and addiction, privacy and personal safety, spotting online predators and cyberbullying, and "understanding AI information and media manipulation," while also noting the positive uses of digital tools for careers and family connections. It also allows a parent or guardian to excuse a student from part or all of the instruction.
The measure drew questions about implementation. Representative Johnny Johnson, citing teachers' time constraints, asked whether the bill adds instruction without adding classroom time, saying "teachers right now cannot get in everything they need to do. It's not possible." Mayberry replied the bill requires the Department of Education to provide guidance and noted the instruction is intended to protect students and to be used by local officials to integrate into existing programs.
House members also questioned a provision that would require schools to limit students' access via school‑provided internet to age‑appropriate material. Chairman Clemens asked the sponsor to clarify whether the bill would duplicate existing statutory limits on harmful material; Mayberry said the intent was protective rather than to restrict legitimate educational content.
Supporters framed the bill as a response to rising concerns about youth exposure online and new risks posed by AI; critics and some members urged care to avoid overburdening classroom time. The bill passed on a roll call; the clerk announced the ayes, noes and present counts and the chair declared the bill passed.
The law requires the Department of Education to issue the guidance and the measure leaves implementation details and instructional scheduling to local education agencies using that guidance.
