(File Photo of Congressman Chris Deluzio)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) introduced the bipartisan SMART Kids Act on Tuesday, legislation that would require the U.S. Surgeon General to develop evidence-based screen time recommendations for children from birth through age 18.

According to the lawmakers, the recommendations would be based on independent scientific research and would not regulate devices or users.

The bill would also require the Surgeon General to work with an independent entity that is not connected to the technology industry when developing the guidance.

In addition to recommendations on the amount of screen time children should have, the legislation would allow for guidance on the quality and type of screen use, recognizing that educational tools may have different effects than personal devices.

The recommendations would be due within one year of the bill’s passage and could be updated as new research becomes available.