Alabama Draws Boundaries on Screen Time

As the national debate over children’s screen use continues to grow, Alabama lawmakers are advancing legislation designed to draw firmer boundaries around how technology is used in early childhood education. The proposal, House Bill 78, is carried by Rep. Jeana Ross, a former Alabama Secretary of Education, and backed by a broad group of lawmakers that includes House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen. Together, they are pushing what they describe as a science-driven approach to protecting early brain development during a child’s most formative years.

Known as The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, HB78 would establish statewide limits on screen time in licensed child-care facilities, certain prekindergarten classrooms, and public kindergarten classrooms. The bill reflects growing concern among educators, pediatric professionals, and parents that excessive and passive screen exposure can interfere with language development, literacy, and social-emotional growth.

Why Early Childhood Screen Time Is Under the Microscope

The bill opens with clear legislative findings that set the tone for the policy. Lawmakers emphasize that birth through age five represents the most critical period of brain development, language acquisition, and emotional growth. During these years, children build the foundational skills that shape learning outcomes well into adolescence and adulthood.

HB78 points to a growing body of peer-reviewed research linking excessive screen exposure in children under three to delayed communication skills, impaired problem-solving ability, and reduced social interaction. Lawmakers also acknowledge national medical guidance warning that screens—when improperly used—can crowd out essential developmental activities such as reading, physical play, and caregiver interaction.

Rather than banning technology outright, the legislation aims to clearly define when screens are appropriate and, just as importantly, when they are not.

Clear, Age-Based Limits on Screen Use

At the core of HB78 are specific limits that vary by age group and educational setting. For children under two years of age, screen time would be prohibited entirely, with a narrow exception for live, interactive video communication such as a video call with a family member.

For children between the ages of two and four, screen time would be capped at no more than 30 minutes per day and 90 minutes per week. Individual screen use would be prohibited. Instead, any permitted screen use would need to occur in interactive group settings that promote discussion, social engagement, and active adult supervision.

Across all covered programs, the bill prohibits background television and passive screen exposure—practices that researchers have found particularly harmful to young children’s language and social-emotional development.

Defining “High-Quality Programming”

To prevent screen limits from becoming loosely interpreted, HB78 directs the Department of Early Childhood Education to establish clear standards for what qualifies as high-quality programming. Content must be specifically designed for early childhood education, age-appropriate, slow-paced, free of violence, and free of advertisements deemed harmful to children.

All screen use must meet these standards and be actively supervised by staff. The legislation is explicit that screens should supplement—not replace—core learning experiences such as reading, play, physical activity, and direct interaction with caregivers and teachers.

Training Requirements for Educators and Staff

HB78 places strong emphasis on implementation, recognizing that policy is only as effective as the people carrying it out. The bill requires teachers and staff members who supervise young children to complete annual training on appropriate screen use, alternatives to screen time, and standards for high-quality programming.

The training would be developed collaboratively by the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Human Resources, and the State Board of Education, with flexibility to tailor instruction to different educational environments—from child-care facilities to public kindergarten classrooms.

Guidance Designed for Parents and Families

Beyond the classroom, HB78 seeks to give families clear, accessible tools to manage screen use at home. The bill requires the state to develop and distribute free, research-based guidelines for parents and guardians on healthy screen time practices for children from birth through age five.

These guidelines would highlight the importance of reading, play, physical activity, and caregiver-child interaction, while also explaining the developmental risks associated with excessive screen exposure. Lawmakers argue that informed parents are a critical part of protecting early childhood development in an increasingly digital world.

Oversight, Compliance, and a Focus on Support

The legislation ties compliance to existing oversight and licensing frameworks. Child-care facilities would be required to adopt compliant screen time policies as a condition of licensure. Prekindergarten programs would be monitored by the Department of Early Childhood Education, while local school principals and boards of education would oversee compliance in kindergarten classrooms.

Rather than relying on punishment, the bill prioritizes technical assistance and additional training for programs that fall out of compliance. Corrective action plans would be used only if noncompliance continues.

Part of a Broader National Conversation

While HB78 is specific to Alabama, its implications reach far beyond state lines. Across the country, policymakers are reevaluating how technology fits into early education—and whether convenience has overshadowed developmental science.

With Rep. Jeana Ross carrying the bill and leadership support from figures like House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen, Alabama’s approach offers a structured, research-based model that other states may watch closely.

If enacted, The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act would take effect on January 1, 2027, reinforcing a policy message that resonates nationally: when it comes to the youngest learners, early education should be built first and foremost on human interaction, attention, and care—not screens.