An Act establishing media literacy education in schools to ensure all children are learning to analyze, evaluate and responsibly use the media
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Cosponsor |
|---|
| John C. Velis |
| Paul R. Feeney |
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J14 | Accompanied | 1 entries |
Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 99 the following section:-
(a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Department”, the department of elementary and secondary education. “Digital citizenship”, the ability to use technology safely, effectively, responsibly, and respectfully. “Media”, the sources used by large numbers of people to receive, communicate, and share information, including but not limited to television, radio, newspapers, internet, social media platforms. “Media literacy” the ability to critically analyze information presented in the mass media and to determine its accuracy and credibility. For the purpose of this section, “Media literacy” also encompasses “social media literacy” and “digital citizenship” as defined below. “School”, any public school located in Massachusetts that provides full-time education programs for any grade from kindergarten to 12th. “Social media”, a web-based or mobile technology that allows users to: (i) connect and interact socially with each other by creating a profile, sharing social connections, and posting content viewable by other users; and (ii) a platform where users can construct a public profile, populate a list of connections, and create content for others to see. “Social media literacy”, skills to prevent mental and physical health consequences that arise from online social interactions. “Student”, an individual currently enrolled or registered at a public school as defined under this section. (b) The department shall integrate media literacy skills in all health and core curricular content for grades kindergarten through 12. The department shall, in consultation with the department of public health, as well as technology researchers and technology ethicists to develop K-12 curriculum guidelines on how to teach students the skills to critically analyze media content and assess how media affects the world around them, as well as their own physical, physiological, emotional, and cognitive development. Guidelines shall provide for a sequential course of study for each of the grades from kindergarten through 12, and shall include, at a minimum, the ability to: (i) access relevant and accurate information through media in a variety of forms; (ii) critically analyze media content and the influences of different forms of media; (iii) evaluate the comprehensiveness, relevance, credibility, authority, and accuracy of information; (iv) recognize limitations of social media as a news source, such as the absence of journalistic protocols and conventions of sourcing and fact checking; (v) make educated decisions based on information obtained from media and digital sources; (vi) operate various forms of technology and digital tools; (vii) reflect on how the use of media and technology may affect private and public life; (viii) assess how media affects the consumption of information and how it triggers emotions and behaviors; (ix) protect oneself from online content that presents a clear risk to health and safety, including child sexual abuse material and content promoting illegal drugs, self-harm, or eating disorders; (x) ensure safe, responsible, ethical use of social media platforms and other communication technologies and platforms; (xi) create and share media content using principles of social and civic responsibility and with awareness of the legal and ethical issues involved; and (xii) participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology, communications, and the digital world by consuming and creating digital content, including media. The department shall provide an online site with a list of approved media literacy curricula that meet the guidelines put forth by the department.
This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 99 the following section:- Section 100. (a) As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: “Department”, the department of elementary and secondary education. “Digital citizenship”, the ability to use technology safely, effectively, responsibly, and respectfully. “Media”, the sources used by large numbers of people to receive, communicate, and share information, including but not limited to television, radio, newspapers, internet, social media platforms. “Media literacy” the ability to critically analyze information presented in the mass media and to determine its accuracy and credibility. For the purpose of this section, “Media literacy” also encompasses “social media literacy” and “digital citizenship” as defined below. “School”, any public school located in Massachusetts that provides full-time education programs for any grade from kindergarten to 12th. “Social media”, a web-based or mobile technology that allows users to: (i) connect and interact socially with each other by creating a profile, sharing social connections, and posting content viewable by other users; and (ii) a platform where users can construct a public profile, populate a list of connections, and create content for others to see. “Social media literacy”, skills to prevent mental and physical health consequences that arise from online social interactions. “Student”, an individual currently enrolled or registered at a public school as defined under this section. (b) The department shall integrate media literacy skills in all health and core curricular content for grades kindergarten through 12. The department shall, in consultation with the department of public health, as well as technology researchers and technology ethicists to develop K-12 curriculum guidelines on how to teach students the skills to critically analyze media content and assess how media affects the world around them, as well as their own physical, physiological, emotional, and cognitive development. Guidelines shall provide for a sequential course of study for each of the grades from kindergarten through 12, and shall include, at a minimum, the ability to: (i) access relevant and accurate information through media in a variety of forms; (ii) critically analyze media content and the influences of different forms of media; (iii) evaluate the comprehensiveness, relevance, credibility, authority, and accuracy of information; (iv) recognize limitations of social media as a news source, such as the absence of journalistic protocols and conventions of sourcing and fact checking; (v) make educated decisions based on information obtained from media and digital sources; (vi) operate various forms of technology and digital tools; (vii) reflect on how the use of media and technology may affect private and public life; (viii) assess how media affects the consumption of information and how it triggers emotions and behaviors; (ix) protect oneself from online content that presents a clear risk to health and safety, including child sexual abuse material and content promoting illegal drugs, self-harm, or eating disorders; (x) ensure safe, responsible, ethical use of social media platforms and other communication technologies and platforms; (xi) create and share media content using principles of social and civic responsibility and with awareness of the legal and ethical issues involved; and (xii) participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology, communications, and the digital world by consuming and creating digital content, including media. The department shall provide an online site with a list of approved media literacy curricula that meet the guidelines put forth by the department. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.