Bill · H.R. 9692· House(119-HR-9692)
TOTAL Screen Time Act
- Introduced
- 7/14/2026
- Last activity
- 7/14/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- George Whitesides
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "TOTAL Screen Time Act," directs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support the creation of a voluntary technical standard for setting screen time limits on various devices. These devices include phones, tablets, computers, game consoles, and televisions that can play audiovisual content. The standard must include an authentication model for minors and their parents or guardians without requiring a specific identity scheme. It must also prioritize minimizing data exchange, avoiding centralized databases of minor activity, and maintaining cybersecurity. The Director is required to solicit public comment and work with various stakeholders to develop this standard. Finally, the Director must submit regular reports to House and Senate committees regarding the development and adoption of this standard.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+6
The bill focuses on protecting the privacy of minors by minimizing data exchange and preventing centralized databases of their activity.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+6
The bill mandates that the technical standard minimizes data exchange and avoids creating centralized databases of minor activity.
Would children be better off under this?+5
The bill provides a framework for managing device usage for individuals under the age of 18.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Privacy Protection for Minors: The bill requires the technical standard to minimize the exchange of data across devices and prohibits the creation of a centralized database regarding the activity of minors (Section 2(a)(3)-(4)).
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Security of Personal Devices: The proposed standard must be developed in a way that does not compromise the cybersecurity of the device being used (Section 2(a)(5)).
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Flexible Identity Verification: The authentication and authorization model for parents and minors is required to function without requiring a certain identity scheme (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Broad Stakeholder Input: The development process involves various experts, including medical professionals who treat minors and organizations that advocate for the safety of minors and privacy (Section 2(b)(6)-(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+6Improves Government Transparency+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+3
- 7/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland