Massachusetts Launches Grant Program For Online Safety
State officials announce $1.75 million to help schools combat cyberbullying, teach digital literacy and support student mental health.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- October 19, 2026
Massachusetts education officials announced $1.75 million in competitive grant funding designed to help public school districts protect students from the negative impacts of social media and digital technology.
The Safe, Healthy and Responsible Digital Life Grant Program aims to provide roughly 25 to 30 school districts with awards of up to $60,000 each. The funding will support age-appropriate classroom instruction, educational materials and professional development for educators during the 2026–2027 school year.
Officials emphasized that the grants will enable schools to address pressing digital challenges, including cyberbullying, protecting personal data, evaluating online sources and identifying artificial intelligence-generated misinformation. A mandatory portion of each grant award will also go toward state-approved vendor support and professional learning to ensure consistent implementation across districts.
Eligible public schools, charter schools, and educational collaboratives must submit their applications through the state's education management system by November 9, 2026.