In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. The advisory provides recommendations that stakeholders can take to help ensure children and their families have the information and tools needed to make social media safer for youth.

In June 2023, Governor Chris Sununu implemented an Executive Order directing a statewide response to the impact of social media platforms on New Hampshire’s youth. The executive order states, in part, "The Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services shall work collaboratively to create guidelines for a curriculum to be submitted to the State Board of Education, to be included in all K-12 health education courses in the state, explaining the potential negative impacts of social media use by children. Research has shown that prolonged time spent by children on social media platforms may be harmful to their wellbeing." This social media curriculum framework and guidelines will assist school leaders in constructing local policies to address the impact of social media on youth.

Learn more about the curriculum framework developed in response to the Executive Order in the Social Media Curriculum Framework and Guidelines.

For questions related to this Technical Advisory, please contact:

Heather Clogston, Prevention Coordinator
Office of Student and Educator Wellness, NHED
603-724-9378
Heather.M.Clogston@doe.nh.gov