TN schools in 2026: Internet safety lessons, family life curriculum changes

Northeast Tennessee students and parents can expect some changes in 2026 to schools' internet safety instruction and family life curriculum, according to new state laws. Social media and internet safety instruction Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, Tennessee students in grades 6-12 will receive mandatory instruction on social media and internet safety under the state's Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act. The new law required the Tennessee Department of Education to develop curricula on internet safety by January 2026, covering topics such as time management, healthy social media behaviors, mental health effects, AI-generated misinformation, security practices and online signs of human trafficking. The move follows the state's implementation of cell phone restrictions during instruction time to minimize distractions and excessive screen time. It also comes as local schools continue efforts to increase awareness on internet safety through lessons and online resources like Johnson City Schools' Digital Citizenship webpage, which provides families with tips on how to be "Internet Smart." Teaching about Tennessee's Safe Haven Law Tennessee high schools will also be required to teach students in grades 9-12 about the state's Safe Haven Law, which allows mothers to voluntarily surrender unharmed newborn infants without facing criminal liability. The legislation requires the Tennessee Department of Education to develop guidelines for the instruction and educational materials. The guidelines and resources must be given to school districts before the start of the 2026-27 school year, according to a news release. Lawmakers expected to consider voucher expansion In terms of changes that might soon come, state legislators are also slated to debate further expansion of Tennessee's private school voucher program during the 2026 General Assembly session. State Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough, who opposed the Education Freedom Act of 2025, has expressed concern about expanding the program without greater data transparency about where funds are going. Alexander recently told Johnson City Schools officials she plans to work with other lawmakers to oppose further expansion until more data is available. She noted that state Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, who chairs the state's finance committee and works in Hawkins County Public Schools, is "on our side." Despite voting for the 2025 voucher bill, Sen. Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City, raised similar concerns during a recent meeting with Washington County Schools officials about the transparency of the program, which expanded pilot voucher programs in Davidson, Shelby and Hamilton counties statewide. "We've asked for all that data, and I would say they'll start giving it to us," he said.