Under an executive order from Gov. Chris Sununu, which was signed June 6, the state tapped its Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Attorney General’s Office to collaborate on a website and media campaign “to educate granite staters on the harms of social media and the negative impacts of the use of social media platforms by children, the resources available to mitigate those harms, and solicit feedback from parents and youth on their concerns with use of social media platforms by children.” It also directed the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to submit guidelines for a curriculum to the State Board of Education.
The agencies are expected to submit those guidelines within 90 days and establish the website within 60 days, according to the executive order. In response to Government Technology’s inquiry about the status of the proposed guidelines and potential measures that would be considered after the guidelines are reviewed, Gov. Sununu’s press office sent an email noting that updates on guidelines for a social media curriculum will not be provided until after Sept. 4. However, the email linked to a page already on the state website titled “Impacts of Social Media,” which in fact contains a brief statement that social media use increases the risk of depression, anxiety and stress, then lists recreational activities across the state that families might enjoy instead of being on the Internet.
The web page notes that the New Hampshire Department of Justice has joined a national investigation into the impacts of social media and is soliciting public input.
“In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the correlation between the development of serious mental health disorders by minors and time spent on social media,” the website says. “There has also been extensive media attention on the responsibility of businesses who own social media platforms to protect children and young adults from the known dangers of using their platforms. Eliminating the harmful effect of social media on our youth and holding social media platforms accountable for their actions is a top priority for the New Hampshire Department of Justice.”
In addition, the page has a link to the Media Power Youth website. That nonprofit organization, which is also based in New Hampshire, defines its work as “inspiring young people to engage with media in thoughtful and creative ways that support well-being.” Its list of digital wellness resources includes a video, “Today I saw 16 people being bullied,” which contains footage from cartoons, commercials, prime-time television shows, movies, video games and local television news programs.
New Hampshire is not the first state in the northeast to scrutinize social media. Last month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law authorizing a study of student social media and phone use in schools. Recommendations from that study are expected to be in place prior to the 2024-2025 academic year.
