Media Literacy Policy & Impact Report
Each year, Media Literacy Now publishes a report outlining the status of media literacy laws for K-12 schools in the U.S. This report looks at states that have taken steps toward media literacy education reform through the legislative process as of October 30, 2025. The findings are based on the tracking and monitoring that Media Literacy Now does throughout the year using data collected from public information and internal sources, and compares state progress.
In addition to the state-by-state findings, this report also highlights:
- Why media literacy matters in today’s media-saturated world
- The different ways to get media literacy instruction into classrooms
- Policy and advocacy trends
- How Media Literacy Now’s top-down, bottom-up advocacy approach is moving the needle
- Recommendations for parents, teachers, and policymakers to take action
Executive Summary
Since January 2024, eleven states have taken new steps to strengthen media literacy education for K–12 students, reflecting broad public support and urgent demand. To date, 25 states have media literacy laws on their books.
Some highlights:
- Alabama – Banned personal devices during the school day and now requires media literacy instruction on social media risks and benefits before 8th grade.
- Georgia – Added digital citizenship and responsible tech use to its statewide character education program.
- North Carolina – Passed the Protecting Students in a Digital Age Act, requiring instruction on safe, responsible social media use and online risk awareness.
- Tennessee – Enacted the Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act, directing creation of curricula for grades 6–12 on social media safety, mental health impacts, and evaluating AI-generated content.
These actions illustrate a growing recognition that media literacy education is essential for students’ online safety and civic engagement, empowering young people to become informed, responsible, and capable digital citizens who can navigate the complexities of all kinds of media.
Multiple Paths to Progress
Legislative solutions vary — some require instruction and that instruction can be comprehensive or limited, others direct state boards to develop standards or resources, and others form advisory councils. But legislation isn’t the only route to get media literacy education to more students.
Media Literacy Now also:
- Partners with state education boards to strengthen and clarify media literacy in academic standards
- Supports school districts, teacher associations, and other organizations in implementing classroom-ready media literacy instruction
- Helps scale local adoption into district- and statewide impact
A Critical Moment for Media Literacy
As schools consider cell phone restrictions, youth social media use, and the influence of AI, this report underscores a key takeaway: policies that limit access without teaching skills leave students unprepared. Kids need guided, empowered learning—not just restrictions—to thrive in today’s digital world.
With a passionate network of State Advocacy Leaders, coalitions, and partners, real progress is underway. But making sure every child becomes media literate will take all of us—parents, educators, librarians, school leaders, and policymakers.
Together with our partners, we’re working to advance media literacy education so that all K-12 students develop the tools and skills needed to become confident and competent media consumers and creators. This report is made possible by the following organizations:
