SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) — A new set of Illinois laws takes effect July 1, bringing several changes statewide, including a measure that could change how schools respond to bullying tied to the growing use of technology.
As of July 1, schools across Illinois will face new responsibilities involving student safety and technology.
State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) refers to a report saying students across the country are using artificial intelligence programs to create harmful images of classmates.
“There are growing reports nationwide of students using AI programs to create explicit or harmful images of classmates, and that raises concerns about safety and accountability,” Stadelman said.
House Bill 3851 expands the state’s definition of cyberbullying to include the use of artificial intelligence to create or share explicit or harmful images of students.
Lawmakers said the change gives school districts clearer authority to step in when online behavior begins to disrupt a student’s education or well-being.
Stadelman said districts may be able to address situations that happen off campus if they impact students and their ability to receive an education or affect their willingness to participate in after-school activities.
State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, said the law is designed to prevent harm before it escalates.
“The best case outcome is we prevent some of these bad scenarios and even tragedies that happen in bullying, where people are using online bullying, where people are altering digital images, all these different things,” Arellano said.
Arellano said while lawmakers work to update state policy, parents play the most important role in keeping kids safe online. He urged parents to talk with their children about online dangers, how to react, and how to build trust so kids feel comfortable reporting problems early.
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