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6/2/2026
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House creates commission to study digital tech effects on kids, public education and mental health
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STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Justine Caldwell, Rep. Megan L. Cotter and Rep. Tina L. Spears to establish a legislative commission to study the use and impacts of digital technology on children, public education and mental health.
The resolution (2026-H 8345A) establishes a 14-member House commission to study numerous aspects of the use of digital technology in public schools, ways to ensure applications used by children are designed with their best interests in mind, issues that arise with minors holding social media accounts, the use of artificial technology in mental healthcare treatment, and the use of AI companion technology and its potential impact on suicidal ideation and physical or financial harm.
The legislation is an amended bill that combines concepts from several bills included in a package of legislation put forward by the three representatives — all mothers of children and teens — to address growing concerns around social media use and digital technology use by establishing new safeguards designed to reduce risks such as exposure to harmful content, exploitation and adverse mental health impacts among users, particularly children.
“Online activity is a part of children’s lives, but we shouldn’t just accept the risks that come with that. We can look for the ways we can demand the providers of this technology adequately protect against their products’ harmful effects on kids,” said Representative Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton).
Said Representative Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich). “Screens are now a regular part of every school day for most kids, using a wide variety of platforms and programs. While many platforms can make learning more fun, there have to be safeguards in place to make sure they are contributing to our kids’ education and not putting them at risk.”
The commission will include members of the House of Representatives, and stakeholders including educators and parents, representatives from the Attorney General’s Office and the State Police computer crimes unit, experts in children’s behavioral health and digital media and representatives from the Rhode Island Foundation and the Rhode Island Society for Technology in Education.
The commission will study more effective use of digital platforms in public schools and ways to mitigate harm; options to provide protections to children using online platforms including those involving financial transactions on gaming and social media sites; ways to ensure creators of online services, products or features that children are likely to access shall consider the best interest of children when designing their products, the use and regulation of AI in mental health treatment; the use of AI companion software and its potential impacts, and issues concerning minors holding social media accounts.
“As technology continues to evolve, so should the responsibilities to protect against its harm. This commission will explore a variety of developing issues with an eye toward protecting vulnerable Rhode Islanders,” said Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly).
As a House resolution, the legislation needs no further approval to take effect. The commission’s report and recommendations will be due by April 23, 2027.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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