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House adopts conference report requiring MDE social-media safety curriculum and gives attorney general enforcement authority
Summary
The Mississippi House adopted the conference report for House Bill 12 24, directing the Mississippi Department of Education to develop a social-media safety curriculum for grades 6–12 with parental opt-outs and authorizing the attorney general to pursue enforcement actions against social-media companies for failure to warn; the report passed 95–17.
The Mississippi House of Representatives adopted the conference report for House Bill 12 24, which directs the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) to develop a social‑media safety curriculum for students in grades six through twelve and to publish internet‑safety information for families.
A sponsor told the chamber the measure allows parents to opt children out of the curriculum and would give the attorney general authority to seek penalties against social‑media companies that falsely represent safety or fail to warn about addictive features. "We're also going to allow the attorney general to seek an action with regard against the social media companies that violate this section," the lawmaker explaining the conference report stated. The sponsor said fines could run up to $10,000 per violation and that half of assessed fees would fund the attorney general's consumer protection division while the other half would support the educational program.
Members questioned enforcement mechanics and verification of parental opt‑outs. One member asked, "So how do you know that the parent is actually filling that form out?" The sponsor responded that technology exists to verify age and said the bill includes carve‑outs for certain services and communications to narrow scope.
The House recorded the conference report as adopted by roll call, 95 ayes and 17 nays. The bill directs MDE to develop the curriculum and post resources publicly; it also creates a private right of action for parents in cases of repeated willful violations as described by the sponsor.
