Media Literacy Now applauds Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill 2071, the Digital Wellness Education Act, authored by Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom). The bipartisan legislation directs the California Department of Education to develop a plan, by January 1, 2028, to expand digital wellness and media literacy instruction in California public schools.

As students increasingly encounter social media algorithms, AI-generated content, chatbots, and the pressures of constant digital connectivity, digital wellness and media literacy education provides the critical thinking skills that can help young people understand how technology affects their health, safety, learning, and social connections.

“Digital wellness education is an important step in helping students understand how today’s media and technology systems shape the information they see and the habits they develop,” said Kyra Brissette, CEO of Media Literacy Now. “AB 2071 was a bipartisan effort in California to ensure young people have the opportunity to develop these essential skills. We hope to support other states as they work to prioritize youth mental health, online safety, and digital wellness.”

Digital wellness education teaches students how technology affects their health; how to stay safe online and on social media; how to critically evaluate digital and AI-generated content; and how to build screen time habits that support their physical and mental well-being and learning.

“Regulation and accountability protect children from the worst of what technology can do but they do not prepare children for what technology asks of them daily,” said Michelle Hirschy, School Wellness Director; Pause2MAP; and MLN’s Health and Wellness Education Advisor. “AB 2071 finally makes room for that preparation, treating digital wellness as a skill to be taught rather than only a risk to be managed.”

Media Literacy Now was pleased to champion AB 2071 alongside GENup, California’s largest youth-led education advocacy organization, the California Media Literacy Coalition, and other education, media literacy, and youth advocates.

About Media Literacy Now

Media Literacy Now is a nonprofit organization driving reform of the U.S. public education system to ensure all students have an opportunity to learn the key 21st century literacy skills they need for health, well-being, economic participation, and citizenship. For more information, go to MediaLiteracyNow.org.