Florida senators back social media guidelines

A proposal that would require the Florida Department of Education to provide students with “social media safety” instructions began moving forward Tuesday in the Senate.

School districts will be required to notify parents of online resources. The PreK-12 Senate Education Committee unanimously approved the measure (SB 52) after making changes to clarify which lessons will be included in the materials.

For example, instruction should be “age and developmentally appropriate” for students in grades 6-12 and should focus on the “social, emotional and physical effects” of social media.

The guidance will also need to include lessons on the benefits of using social media, including career and resume building, as well as the risks of social media, including addiction, posting misinformation, and the negative impact on mental health. Instructions on how to use social media safely will also be required, including lessons on “identifying predatory behavior and human trafficking.”

Bill sponsor Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, told the group that social media is having a “pervasive influence” on young people’s daily lives.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to protect their children and shield them from the realities of the world. And that’s something we’re struggling to do alone because it’s an ever-evolving area in the digital world,” said Burgess.

© 2023 Florida News Service. All rights reserved.