Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill limiting screen time for children in early education programs

Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill to limit screen access for children in early education programs, Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – Photo from Office of Gov. Kay Ivey/Hal Yeager

Gov. Kay Ivey has signed the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, which limits electronic screen access in early childhood education and licensed childcare facilities.

It was 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,” Gov. Ivey said. “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.”

The law 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.

The legislation also requires the Department of Early Childhood Education, to create a training program on the appropriate use of child screen time for teachers and other staff members who supervise children.

The Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act will become effective on January 1, 2027.