In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Center” means the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Guide” means the youth–centric technology and social media resource guide. “Youth–centric technology” means products, platforms, and software that is designed for use by children or that is frequently used by children. “Youth–centric technology” includes: Social media platforms; Online games; Artificial intelligence products; Nonalgorithm–driven virtual communication platforms; E–commerce platforms; Smart phones; Laptops; and Any other product, service, or device an individual can use to communicate with other individuals through the Internet.

Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, the National Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, in consultation with the Department, shall develop and publish a youth–centric technology and social media resource guide that meets the requirements under § 7–9B–03 of this subtitle. The guide shall cover commonly used youth–centric technology for: Personal use by children; and Delivering education to children. The Center shall complete the guide before the 2027–2028 school year. The Center shall periodically update the guide. The purpose of the guide is to provide: Age–appropriate information and best practices for youth–centric technology that: Encourages students and parents and guardians to understand how youth–centric technology and social media can be used and misused by developers and users; and Promotes informed decision making when using youth–centric technology; and Information and guidance on the safe use of youth–centric technology, including the Internet and social media by students in prekindergarten through grade 12. On or before September 1, 2026, the Center shall complete a needs assessment to assist in the development of the guide. The needs assessment shall include a review of: Existing State and federal resources for contribution to the development of the guide; Existing efforts to educate families on the impact of youth–centric technology and social media on the mental health of youth in the State; and Gaps in the existing resources and education efforts.

The guide developed under § 7–9B–02 of this subtitle shall include a service and product landscape review of youth–centric technology that contains: The name of a specific product or service; The purported function of the product or service; Any privacy, safety, or security concerns with regard to whether and how data is captured, stored, or shared by the product or service; Whether the product or service affects addictive qualities in a user and, if so, how; Ways in which a student in prekindergarten through grade 12 could access a specific product or service, including whether a specific product or service is available through a device provided by a public school; Any information on the potential harmful impact on a user, including emotional, psychological, and physical impacts; and Positive and negative impact potential on academic growth and learning. If the Center finds a gap in available information relating to a specific youth–centered technology in the course of the landscape review, the Center shall make a reference to the lack of available information in the guide. The guide may include other State, federal, nonprofit, or public resources. The guide shall be written in plain English and clearly display contact information for the Center. On request, the Center shall provide translated copies of the guide.

Beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, on or before the first day of each school year, the guide shall be: Posted on the websites of the Department and each county board; and Distributed to: Each public school; and The parent teacher organization for each public school.