Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman HERB CONAWAY, JR.
District 7 (Burlington)
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Requires Commissioner of Education to establish public awareness campaign on student use of Internet and social media.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning student use of the Internet and social media and supplementing chapter 35 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, Commissioner of Children and Families, and Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, shall establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about the potential dangers posed to children through the unmonitored use of the Internet and social media.
b. The public awareness campaign shall include information that, at a minimum, addresses:
(1) ways in which parents can foster the safe, positive use of digital and social media by children and empower them to make smart decisions when using the Internet and mobile devices;
(2) the potential for children to be exposed online to cyber bullying, predators, and unsafe or inappropriate content including, but not limited to, dangerous Internet challenges or fads; and
(3) the consequences to children for using the Internet or social media applications in ways that are bullying, threatening, or potentially unlawful.
c. Through the campaign, the Commissioner of Education shall publicize the availability of resources on online safety that are available on the websites of the Department of Education, the New Jersey State Police, and other sources.
2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day next following the date of enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Attorney General, Commissioner of Children and Families, and Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to establish a public awareness campaign to inform the general public about the potential dangers posed to children through the unmonitored use of the Internet and social media.
The bill requires that the public awareness campaign include information that addresses:
(1) ways to foster the safe, positive use of digital and social media by children;
(2) the potential for children to be exposed online to cyber bullying, predators, and unsafe or inappropriate content; and
(3) the consequences to children for using the Internet or social media applications in inappropriate or potentially unlawful ways.
Finally, the bill requires the campaign to publicize the availability of additional resources on online safety that are available on the websites of the Department of Education, the New Jersey State Police, and other sources.