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House committee backs updated 'digital skills' course to teach social-media safety and AI literacy
Summary
The House Education Committee unanimously recommended HB218 as amended, replacing the current middle-school digital-skills class with a course focused on social-media harms, digital privacy, cybersecurity basics and responsible AI, with instruction slated to begin in 2027–28.
Representative Tuscher urged the committee to approve House Bill 218, saying the measure replaces an older 'digital skills' class for seventh- and eighth-graders with a curriculum centered on social-media harms, digital privacy, cybersecurity fundamentals and responsible use of AI.
"We can incorporate that into that class ... so it doesn't add any new additional requirements," Tuscher said, telling lawmakers the change directs the State Board of Education on the topics it should include while relying on the board's normal standards-setting process.
Committee members asked whether the bill created a new class and whether it carried a fiscal cost. Tuscher and staff explained it replaces an existing required course and that the fiscal note is zero. Representative Moss and Representative Welton sought clarification about how the standards would be set and when instruction would begin; Tuscher said the new content would be implemented in the 2027–28 school year to give districts time to prepare.
Public commenters and educators who testified in favor included a middle-school digital-literacy teacher from Vista Heights Middle School and Dr. Sarah Coyne, a BYU professor who has studied media effects on children. Testimony emphasized both harms and benefits of digital technology and urged that instruction cover practical skills and digital wellness.
The committee adopted a first amendment that narrows language to suit middle-school audiences and accepted cleanup language requested by the committee. By voice vote the amendment passed unanimously; the committee then voted to favorably recommend the first substitute as amended.
The next step for HB218 is consideration by the full House, where the sponsor said he will continue to work with the State Board of Education and local educators on implementation details.
