Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act

HR 9584, the Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act, establishes a federal grant program to fund media literacy education in K-12 schools and public libraries. The bill authorizes $20 million annually (for fiscal years 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031) to provide grants to state/local education agencies, public libraries, and qualified nonprofits. These grants require states to create advisory councils and develop inclusive digital citizenship guidelines for all students, including those with disabilities, while schools must integrate media literacy into curricula and train teachers. The program aims to build skills for critically analyzing media, countering disinformation, and addressing digital wellness concerns, with a focus on accessibility for diverse student populations.