File #: T2026-0757    Version: * Name: Requiring the department of education to distribute materials to students about the risks of social media and online hate.
Type: Introduction Status: Introduced
Committee: Committee to Combat Hate
On agenda: 1/29/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to distribute materials to students about the risks of social media and online hate
Sponsors: Shaun Abreu, Linda Lee
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Education (DOE) to distribute materials to middle and high school students regarding the risks and dangers associated with social media for youth, including in relation to online bullying, harassment, discrimination, misinformation, and disinformation, as well as how to prevent or mitigate associated harms. The materials would be age appropriate and distributed annually, as well as being posted to the department’s website.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No., 2. Int. No.

Int. No.

 

By Council Members Abreu and Lee

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of education to distribute materials to students about the risks of social media and online hate

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Title 21-A of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new chapter 34 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 34

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS ON THE RISKS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE HATE

§ 21-1005 Distribution of materials on the risks of social media. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Social media. The term “social media” means any social networking website, program, or application that allows users to disseminate information to a network of users who are able to share, interact with, and comment on such information. Such dissemination of information to users is moderated by proprietary and often undisclosed algorithms that are often used to identify the user’s interest, and maximize their engagement.

b. No later than September 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, the department shall distribute to each middle and high school, to be shared with every student of such school, in writing, in hard copy, or electronically if availability of similar documents occurs electronically, using plain, simple, and age-appropriate language, the following information:

1. Information about the risks and dangers associated with using social media, particularly for young people and youth, including, but not limited to, social media addiction, negative impacts on mental and physical health, the dangers of engaging with strangers online, and the risks and dangers of bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in online forums;

2. Information about misinformation and disinformation, including their role in perpetuating or amplifying hate, bias, and discrimination, and the importance of independent research, primary sources, and the need for independent verification; and

3. Methods for preventing or mitigating the harm that social media may cause.

c. The department shall ensure that such materials are available on the department’s website in English and each of the designated citywide languages as defined in section 23-1101 of the administrative code.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

CY/JLB

LS #13823

Int. #0002-2024

1/23/2026 1:19 PM