KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knox County Schools is considering new policies that would restrict social media access for elementary school students, limit student email use, and crack down on artificial intelligence impersonation across the district.
The proposals are scheduled to be discussed during the Knox County Board of Education meeting Monday at 5 p.m.
The proposed changes come after Tennessee enacted the Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act, which places new requirements on school systems regarding student internet and social media use. Among other provisions, the law prohibits students from accessing social media through school Wi-Fi except for educational purposes, bans elementary-aged students from using social media at school, and requires internet safety instruction for high school students.
Under the Knox County Schools proposal, elementary students would no longer have access to social media platforms or school email accounts. District leaders are also exploring ways to reduce device use among younger students and encourage more traditional classroom instruction methods.
Parents have expressed differing perspectives on the proposed changes, though many support stronger limits on social media use for younger children.
Lauren Morrill-Raguse, a Knox County parent with a fourth-grade and sixth-grade student, said she believes elementary-age children do not need access to social media.
“I don’t think elementary school kids need to be on social media at all,” Morrill-Raguse said.
She also voiced support for reducing the overall reliance on electronic devices in classrooms.
“I think there’s just so much to be learned in school that doesn’t involve a computer that any way they can get them back to pencils and papers and books is great in my view,” she said.
Another parent, Stephanie Welsh, said she focused on teaching her children responsible online behavior as social media became more common while they were growing up.
“I just really tried to talk to them about, you know, be careful what you post,” Welsh said. “It’s not really going to go away. It’s out there, so just kind of be mindful.”
Welsh also expressed support for the district’s proposed restrictions involving artificial intelligence, particularly concerns about AI-generated images and impersonation.
“You’re already seeing it with celebrities with their faces and images being put where it doesn’t belong,” Welsh said. “And that could be really harmful for children.”
School officials say the AI-related provisions are intended to address emerging technology concerns and protect students from misuse of artificial intelligence tools that could create deceptive or harmful content.
The Knox County Board of Education is expected to review and discuss the proposed policies during Monday’s meeting. Any approved changes would affect student technology use throughout the district as schools continue adapting to new state requirements and evolving digital safety concerns.
