The SMART Kids Act directs the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to develop evidence-informed recommendations for screen time limits for children. The bill requires separate recommendations for six age groups: 0–2, 2–5, 5–8, 8–13, 13–16, and 16–18 years. The Surgeon General may also create recommendations based on qualitative factors, such as different types of screen use. The Surgeon General must select an independent entity without financial or other conflicts of interest to help develop the recommendations. The final recommendations must be published on the Department of Health and Human Services website and submitted to Congress no later than one year after the bill becomes law. The bill defines “screen time limit” as the maximum amount of time per day spent using an electronic device with a display screen.
If enacted, federal public health officials would produce and publish age-based guidance on daily screen time for children. The guidance would be available on the HHS website and sent to Congress within one year of enactment. It would cover specific age ranges and may note different effects of various kinds of screen use. The bill directs development and publication of recommendations but does not in the text require actions by parents, schools, or companies.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s stated purpose is to promote healthy development and well-being by creating evidence-informed screen time recommendations for children.
No publicly available information.