Community digital literacy session, Watauga County
Module 04 of 06

What NC Law Now Requires

"This isn't optional anymore — for schools or for us."

Learning Objectives — By the end of this module, you will:
Sarah's Story — The School Meeting

A month after the counselor visit, Sarah went to a parent night at Watauga High. The principal mentioned — almost in passing — that the school would be implementing new digital safety curriculum in the fall. Required by state law.

Sarah raised her hand. "What exactly will they be teaching?" The room went quiet in a way that told her most parents had no idea this was happening. The answer was both reassuring and insufficient. The school was going to teach something. They just hadn't figured out how yet.

Sarah drove home thinking: the law is a start. But a single class period about social media isn't going to be the thing that keeps Lily safe. That's still my job. The law just gave me a framework to work with.

NC House Bill 959 — What It Actually Says

In July 2025, Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 into law. It is the most significant piece of child digital safety legislation North Carolina has passed — and as of January 2026, it is actively changing what your child's school is required to do.

July 2025 — Signed Into Law
Gov. Stein Signs HB 959
House Bill 959 is signed, combining a cellphone restriction mandate with a new requirement for social media literacy education in all NC public schools.
September 1, 2025 — First Deadline
Schools Submit Policies to DPI
All school districts and charter schools were required to submit their cellphone restriction policies to the NC Department of Public Instruction.
January 1, 2026 — Now in Effect
Cellphone Policies Active in All NC Schools
Your child returned to school this January under stricter device rules. Phones must be off during instructional time. NC joins 35 other states with school cellphone restrictions.
2026–2027 School Year — Coming This Fall
Social Media Literacy Curriculum Begins
Starting this fall, all NC public schools must teach social media literacy. The curriculum must cover six specific topic areas — see below.

What Your Child's School Must Teach

The 2026–27 social media literacy curriculum is required to address all of the following:

📱
Social Media Addiction
How platforms are designed to maximize engagement and the effects on developing brains
❌
Misinformation & Manipulation
How false information spreads and how to evaluate what you see online
🛡️
Self-Protection Online
Privacy settings, personal information sharing, and recognizing unsafe situations
🚫
Cyberbullying
Identifying, responding to, and reporting bullying that occurs online
🔍
Human Trafficking
How traffickers use social media and how to recognize warning signs
📣
Reporting Suspicious Behavior
Who to tell and how to report concerns about online activity
The Gap the Law Leaves Open
What HB 959 Does NOT Cover

This is exactly where the AHA Foundation operates. The law creates the mandate. The Foundation delivers the community layer — in-person sessions for parents, caregivers, and community organizations across the High Country. This course is that layer.

Your Role as the Home Layer

The school will teach your child something this fall. But curriculum delivered once in a classroom is not enough. Research consistently shows that children who receive reinforcing conversations at home retain digital safety knowledge significantly better than those who only receive school-based education. You completing this course is the most important thing you can do to maximize the impact of HB 959 on your family.

In the News NC Schools & the New Social Media Literacy Law WRAL News · 2025
NC Schools & the New Social Media Literacy Law
WRAL News · NC House Bill 959 · 2025

News coverage of Governor Josh Stein signing House Bill 959 in July 2025 — requiring cellphone restrictions and social media literacy education in all NC public schools.

Find on YouTube →
NC Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 in July 2025, requiring cellphone restrictions and social media literacy education in all NC public schools.
Module Quiz
Assignment 04 · Knowledge Check
5 Questions on NC House Bill 959
Answer all five to complete this module. Take your time — these facts matter.
Question 1 of 5
When did NC's cellphone restriction policy go into effect in schools?
September 1, 2025
January 1, 2026
Fall 2026
It hasn't gone into effect yet
Question 2 of 5
Which school year does the required social media literacy curriculum begin?
2025–2026
2026–2027
2027–2028
It's optional — up to each district
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following topics is NOT explicitly required by HB 959?
Social media addiction
Human trafficking recognition
How to identify AI-generated images
Cyberbullying
Question 4 of 5
True or False: HB 959 specifies exactly how teachers should deliver the social media literacy curriculum.
True — the law provides detailed teaching guidelines
False — the law sets requirements but not delivery methods
Question 5 of 5
What does the AHA Foundation provide that HB 959 does not require schools to cover?
Online curriculum for students
In-person parent and community education across the High Country
Teacher training for NC educators
A replacement for the school curriculum
0/5
Complete all questions to see your score

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Module 3
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Module 5: Your Toolkit