Gov. Ivey signs screen time limits for early childhood education programs into law
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Special to the News
On Wednesday Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, limiting electronic screen access in early childhood education and licensed childcare facilities. The Act is one of the governor’s 2026 legislative priorities.
“Video screen access in classrooms can boost learning skills among our young children, but too much screen exposure can also be detrimental, harming critical social and cognitive development,” said Gov. Ivey. “The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act ensures our youngest students are provided a healthy balance of screen time and traditional learning in order to protect social and emotional development. I am pleased to sign this commonsense legislation to make sure Alabama’s children are protected.”
Sponsored by Rep. Jeana Ross and Sen. Donnie Chesteen, the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act requires the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resources and the State Department of Education, to develop guidelines for appropriate use of screen-based media in early childhood education programs, including day care centers, day care homes, group day care homes, night care facilities, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.
“House Bill 78 establishes clear, research-based expectations for how technology is used in early childhood settings,” said Rep. Ross. “The goal is not to eliminate technology, but to ensure its use is developmentally appropriate and never replaces the hands-on learning and human interaction young children need most. By setting thoughtful guardrails and aligning classroom practices with the best available research on early brain development, this legislation supports educators, protects the quality of early learning and reinforces our commitment to giving Alabama’s youngest students the strongest possible start.”
The legislation also requires the Department of Early Childhood Education to create a training program on the appropriate use of child screentime for teachers and other staff members who supervise children.
“The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act represents another important step in ensuring Alabama’s youngest children grow and learn in environments that prioritize human interaction, exploration and healthy development,” said Sen. Chesteen. “Building on the progress made with last year’s FOCUS Act, this legislation continues our commitment to protecting the most formative years of childhood. I am grateful to Governor Kay Ivey and my colleagues in the Legislature for recognizing the importance of this issue and working together to support Alabama families.”
The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act will become effective on January 1, 2027.