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HB 1224

MS Keeping Kids Safe Online Act;

2026 Regular Session

Mississippi HB 1224 creates a Task Force to keep children safe online and requires the DOE to publish an Internet Safety Resource and implement a mandatory grades 6–12 social media

Approved by Governor
#judiciarya #judiciary #divisiona
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Bill Summary · HB 1224

Summary of HB 1224 (Mississippi, 2026 Session)

This summary outlines the purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural timelines of HB 1224, known as the MS Keeping Kids Safe Online Act, as amended and enacted during the 2026 session.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a state-led effort to study and recommend legislation to protect Mississippi children online.
  • Creates two main policy tracks:
    • An advisory task force to review existing law, statutes, regulations, and national frameworks related to online child protection and to propose legislative changes.
    • A state education program to promote internet and social media safety for students, families, and educators.

2) Key Provisions

A. Task Force to Keep Children Safe Online

  • Establishment: Created as the “Task Force to Keep Children Safe Online.”
  • Members: A diverse group including:
    • Chairs of both Senate and House Judiciary committees (Division A and B) and Technology committees (or their designees).
    • Survivor advocate (appointed by the Lieutenant Governor).
    • Parent of a victim (appointed by the Speaker).
    • Two law professors with expertise in constitutional law and child protection (named by deans of Mississippi College School of Law and University of Mississippi School of Law).
    • Representatives from major tech platforms: Google, Facebook, X, TikTok.
    • A member from the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women (appointed by the Governor).
  • Scope of Review: The task force will evaluate:
    • HB 1224 and related legislation and caselaw (including the Walker Montgomery Act and related cases).
    • Mississippi and federal/other states’ frameworks on online child protection.
    • Recommendations for potential legislation.
  • Support & Timeline:
    • May request assistance from relevant law schools, the Mississippi Judicial College, and professional associations.
    • Meet by August 15, 2026; report findings and proposed legislation by December 1, 2026.
    • Non-legislative members may be reimbursed for travel; legislative members receive standard legislative reimbursement.
    • The task force dissolves after presenting its report.

B. Internet Safety Resource Law

  • Publication Requirement: The Mississippi Department of Education (the Department) must create and publish an “Internet Safety Resource Publication” on its website.
  • Content: A general, easy-to-use resource for students, families, and caregivers, covering:
    • Best practices for online safety, identity protection, and digital well-being.
    • Risks on social media and mental health considerations.
    • Permanence of online sharing and reporting suspicious activity.
    • Guidance on reporting suspicious behavior to authorities.
    • Information on safely using common internet applications and technologies, including parent-led control of device usage.
    • Clarification that this statute is not a new public school mandate.
  • Collaboration: Department may work with the Department of Information Technology Services and other agencies; may develop instructional materials, guides, and apps; periodic updates to reflect tech changes.
  • Accessibility: Government entities may publish this publication on their websites; updates to be shared with requesting entities.
  • Implementation: Department to adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes.
  • Citation: Known as the “Internet Safety Resource Law.”

C. Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Law

  • Curriculum Requirement: Department of Education must develop and offer a social media safety curriculum for grades 6–12, with instructional materials posted on the Department and school district websites.
  • District Notification: Each district must notify parents/guardians about the availability of materials.
  • Curriculum Content: Topics include:
    • Time management and healthy behaviors on social media.
    • Mental health impacts and potential addiction.
    • How information is distributed on social platforms.
    • How social media can influence behavior and how to maintain personal security.
    • Recognizing cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking online; reporting mechanisms.
    • Safe usage practices, including preventing oversharing and recognizing suspicious activity.
    • Optional inclusion of benefits (career/relevant opportunities) in a limited context.
  • Parental Opt-Out: Parents may opt their child out of the required social media safety instruction.
  • School Internet Access Policy: Schools must prohibit student access to social media platforms via school internet access, except when directed by a teacher for instructional purposes.
  • Internet Safety Policy: Schools/districts must implement an internet safety policy addressing:
    • Access to age-appropriate content.
    • Protection of student safety in email, chat rooms, and direct communications.
    • Prohibition of access to illicit activities and data that could compromise personal information.
  • Implementation: The Department and districts shall adopt rules/regulations to effectuate these provisions.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • State government and Legislature: Requires creation of a task force, review of current law, and potential new legislation.
  • Department of Education (DOE): Responsible for publishing the Internet Safety Resource Publication and administering the social media safety curriculum.
  • School districts: Must notify parents about available materials and implement the social media safety curriculum; enforce internet access policies and safety standards.
  • Students (grades 6–12): Primary beneficiaries of the social media safety instruction and school internet access protections.
  • Families and caregivers: Target audience for the Internet Safety Resource Publication and related materials.
  • Technology platforms: Represented on the task force (Google, Facebook, X, TikTok) to inform policy considerations.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Task Force Timeline:
    • Convenes by August 15, 2026.
    • Reports recommendations and proposed legislation by December 1, 2026.
    • Dissolves after delivering its report.
  • Publication and Curriculum Rollout:
    • Internet Safety Resource Publication to be published on the DOE website and maintained/updated periodically.
    • Social media safety curriculum to be developed and implemented for grades 6–12, with materials posted publicly and parental opt-out available.
  • Funding and Reimbursement:
    • Travel and related expenses for task force members are to be reimbursed as authorized by appropriation; legislative members reimbursed according to standard out-of-session committee funding.

Note: The act takes effect July 1, 2026, with a sunset/delisting provision indicating repeal on June 30, 2026 (per amended timeline language in the act’s text as provided). The title and framing describe two main enactments: the Task Force and the two safety-/education-focused laws.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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