PEABODY, Mass. — Governor Maura Healey announced $1.75 million in new funding to help Massachusetts schools protect students from the harmful impacts of social media and teach young people how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

 

The grants will support schools in educating students about online safety, cyberbullying, protecting their personal information, recognizing misinformation and making healthy choices about social media use.

 

Governor Healey announced the funding during a visit to Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, where she joined students, teachers and school leaders for a roundtable discussion about the impacts of social media on young people, their mental health and their ability to focus in school.

 

"We know social media is having a profound impact on our children’s mental health, well-being and ability to succeed in school," said Governor Maura Healey. "That’s why we’re working to hold these platforms accountable, strengthen protections for young people and give our schools the resources they need to keep students safe online. This $1.75 million investment is another important step in our commitment to protecting our kids and making sure they have every opportunity to learn, grow and succeed."

 

The funding is available through the new Safe, Healthy and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program, administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Public school districts, charter public schools and educational collaboratives can apply for approximately 25 to 30 grants of up to $60,000 each. Schools can use the funding for age-appropriate classroom instruction, educational materials, educator training and resources that help families support healthy social media use.

 

The grants will help students learn how to recognize false or misleading information, including AI-generated content, protect their personal information, understand the risks of social media and cyberbullying, and make responsible decisions online. Programs can serve students in elementary, middle and high schools and must be implemented during the 2026–2027 school year.

The new funding builds on the Governor Healey's broader efforts to protect young people from the harmful impacts of social media, reduce distractions in classrooms and support student mental health. Earlier this year, she filed legislation requiring social media companies to implement stronger safety protections for children and teens, including age assurance systems, stronger default privacy settings and restrictions on addictive features like infinite scrolling and automatic video playback. The proposal would also limit notifications and platform access during school and overnight hours.

 

Governor Healey also previously signed legislation banning revenge porn and AI-generated images such as deepfakes, which are increasingly becoming a concern in schools. The law made it a crime to create, possess or share these materials involving individuals under 18, regardless of whether the image is real or AI-generated. Earlier this year, the administration issued statewide guidance reminding schools that creating a "deepfake" AI-generated nude image of a minor is a criminal offense that must be promptly investigated.

 

The administration also recently opened applications for $1 million in Cell Phone-Free Schools Grants to help schools limit cell phone use during the school day, reduce distractions and create healthier learning environments where students can focus on learning and connecting with their peers.

 

As Attorney General, Governor Healey co-led a nationwide, bipartisan investigation into Meta for promoting Instagram to children and teens despite concerns about its impact on their mental health. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has continued that work, recently announcing a landmark $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta in August 2026. The settlement, subject to court approval, will require stronger protections for young users and provide funding to Massachusetts to support youth mental health, digital wellness and literacy.

"Our landmark settlement with Meta is holding social media companies accountable, strengthening protections for young people, and securing resources to address the harms caused by these platforms," said Attorney General Campbell. "The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s investment complements these efforts by giving schools and educators the tools to help students navigate social media safely. Together, we are pairing accountability with education and prevention to protect the mental health and well-being of our young people."

 

Applications for the Safe, Healthy and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program are due Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5 p.m. Schools can learn more and apply through DESE's grant program webpage.