Technology (Online Safety)

HB 1403 requires Oklahoma public school districts to offer free annual parent seminars covering substance abuse prevention, bullying, mental health awareness, and internet safety (including pornography addiction). These seminars must occur after 6:00 p.m. at least once yearly in a school building and are available to all parents at no cost. School districts may use their own curriculum or adopt the State Board of Education's approved curriculum, but may opt out if their board deems the topics unimportant to families - requiring written justification to the State Board. The State Board must report on implementation progress, attendance, and opt-out reasons to the Legislature by November 2025 and July 2026, with the bill effective July 1, 2025.

HB 1346 changes Oklahoma law by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in all relevant statutes. It requires commercial entities (like websites or platforms) to implement "reasonable age verification methods" to prevent minors from accessing harmful online content, and holds these entities liable for civil damages if they knowingly publish or distribute such material. The bill directly affects online platforms and commercial entities hosting content, adding new civil liability standards without creating new criminal penalties. Key provisions define terms like "age verification methods" and "harmful to minors" to clarify enforcement.

HB 1275 requires social media platforms meeting its definition (e.g., those using algorithms, infinite scrolling, and enabling public social interaction) to verify users are at least 18 years old before granting access. It specifically affects platforms used by Oklahoma residents, excluding email services, gaming platforms, educational tools, and professional networking sites. Key mechanisms include using state-approved digital ID verification and prohibiting "dark patterns" that trick users into sharing age data. The bill explicitly states it does not restrict content or minors' ability to post content on platforms they legally access, focusing solely on age verification for platform access.