California Digital Wellness Education Act (AB 2071): What the New Bill Does

What AB 2071 Does

AB 2071, the California Digital Wellness Education Act, would require California public middle and high schools to include instruction on “digital wellness” as part of their existing health education courses. The bill builds on California’s current requirement that health education include mental health instruction by adding a digital wellness component.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Require digital wellness instruction in health education courses offered to students in grades 7 through 12.
• Direct the State Department of Education to develop, on or before January 1, 2028, a plan to expand digital wellness instruction across California public schools.
• Build on existing law: California already requires mental health instruction in health education courses. AB 2071 adds digital wellness as a companion component.
• Follow up on the Phone-Free Schools Act: The bill’s author, Assemblymember Hoover, previously authored AB 3216 (the Phone-Free Schools Act), which was signed by Governor Newsom in 2024. AB 2071 is framed as the instructional complement to that phone-restriction law.

Why AB 2071 Matters

AB 2071 was authored by students from GENup (Generation Up), California’s largest youth-led education advocacy organization. The student-authored bill reflects growing concern about youth mental health in the context of AI tools, social media, and screen time.

The bill has backing from a coalition of media literacy organizations, including:

• Media Literacy Now
• Media Education Lab
• California Media Literacy Coalition
• USD Youth Media Insights Lab
• NAMAE (National Association for Media Arts Education)

The legislation responds to a broader national conversation about youth mental health and technology. Multiple states have introduced or passed laws restricting minors’ social media access, but AB 2071 takes an education-first approach: rather than restricting access alone, it aims to equip students with skills to navigate digital environments.

What “Digital Wellness” Includes Under the Bill

AB 2071 defines “digital wellness” through a framework that includes the following areas of instruction:

• Healthy screen habits — Managing screen time and understanding its effects on physical and mental health.
• Algorithms and AI literacy — Understanding how recommendation algorithms and AI systems work, including how they curate content and influence behavior.
• Safe interactions on social media — Recognizing risks including cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and privacy exposure on social platforms.
• Critical evaluation of digital and AI content — Skills for identifying misinformation, AI-generated content, and manipulated media.

Status and Timeline

The bill must pass through the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the full Assembly, the Senate, and be signed by the Governor before taking effect. Track the latest status on the official California Legislature page for AB 2071.

How AB 2071 Fits with Other California AI and Youth Bills

AB 2071 is part of a growing set of California bills addressing AI, youth safety, and digital literacy. Related legislation includes:

• Phone-Free Schools Act (AB 3216, 2024) — Signed by Governor Newsom, requires school districts to adopt policies limiting or prohibiting student smartphone use during school hours. AB 2071 is positioned as the instructional complement.
• AI Companion Chatbot Bills — Several pending bills regulate AI chatbot interactions with minors:
  • SB 243 — Adds neural data to CCPA sensitive personal information protections.
  • SB 1119 — Addresses AI safety and youth protections.
  • AB 2023 — Targets AI chatbot disclosures and safety requirements.

For a comprehensive overview of all active California AI legislation, see our California AI Laws 2026 guide and the California AI laws tracker.

What Businesses Should Watch

While AB 2071 is primarily an education bill, it has implications for companies operating in the K-12 ed-tech and AI spaces:

• K-12 ed-tech vendors selling products in California may face new procurement criteria tied to digital wellness alignment. School districts implementing digital wellness curricula could favor tools that incorporate or support the bill’s instructional framework.
• AI companion chatbot operators should monitor whether AB 2071 introduces classroom-specific disclosure or safety expectations that go beyond the requirements already established under companion chatbot legislation (such as AB 2905).
• Content and social media platforms with significant student user bases may see increased scrutiny as digital wellness instruction raises student awareness about algorithmic influence and data practices.

For more on California industry-specific compliance, visit our Education industry tracker and California compliance deadlines.

Sources

• Official bill text: AB 2071 — California Legislature
• Bill tracker: CalMatters Digital Democracy — AB 2071
• Media Literacy Now press release, March 17, 2026
• Route Fifty / The 74 coverage, April 21, 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.