H.R. 8743In committee
Surgeon General ordered to set children's daily screen time guidelines
Data as of July 11, 2026
HR 8743 directs the Surgeon General to publish evidence-based daily screen time guidelines for children under 18 within one year.45-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
HR 8743 requires the U.S. Surgeon General to develop and publish official, evidence-based guidelines on daily screen time for children, covering six age groups from infants under 2 through teenagers aged 16 to 18. The guidelines must be published online and submitted to Congress within one year of the bill becoming law. The bill creates no laws, fines, or enforcement mechanisms — compliance with any resulting recommendations is entirely voluntary.
Who does it affect?
Parents, caregivers, pediatricians, child health professionals, and school administrators would be the most directly affected audiences for the guidelines. Tech companies could be indirectly affected if published guidelines shift public attention toward children's screen use habits.
Why does it matter?
Publishing government-backed screen time recommendations could influence how families, schools, and health providers approach children's daily device use. Because the guidelines carry no legal weight, any changes in behavior would depend entirely on voluntary adoption.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee — You are here
- House vote
- Senate
- President's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it.
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.
Make the callSee how a call works
Official title
SMART Kids Act
- Introduced:
- May 12, 2026
- Latest action:
- May 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.