Minnesota House Bill HF192

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23

Caption

Digital well-being education and training promoted for health, mental well-being, and learning of all Minnesota students as it relates to use of digital media; Minnesota-based organization that collaborates with communities to promote digital well-being funding provided; and money appropriated.

Impact

HF192 aims to create a structured approach to mitigate the adverse effects of excessive screen use among students by establishing a grant program to support initiatives designed to promote better screen habits. The funding provided to LiveMore ScreenLess is intended for enhancing resource libraries, initiating communication campaigns, and conducting workshops and training sessions for educators and community organizations. By prioritizing digital well-being literacy, the bill seeks to equip parents, schools, and youths with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the challenges posed by digital media effectively.

Summary

House File 192, also known as HF192, is a legislative proposal focused on promoting digital well-being education and training to improve the health, mental well-being, and learning experiences of Minnesota students concerning their use of digital media. The bill underscores the negative impacts associated with screen overuse, which include various physical, mental, emotional, and social issues, particularly affecting young people's development. To address these concerns, the bill allocates funds to a Minnesota-based organization, LiveMore ScreenLess, which is tasked with developing and implementing tools and resources to enhance digital well-being among youth.

Contention

While HF192 is generally well-received due to its focus on promoting mental health, some debate may arise regarding the effectiveness of the proposed strategies and the allocation of state funds. Critics might argue that rather than solely promoting educational resources, more comprehensive policies are needed to address the broader systemic issues tied to digital media use. Further discussions may also center around the involvement of external organizations and whether local entities have sufficient input into the initiatives that are rolled out as part of the program.