Blunt, Markey Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Study Impact of Technology & Media on Children

Press Release

U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Edward J. Markey (Mass.), along with Senators Ben Sasse (Neb.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Michael Bennet (Colo.), and Susan Collins (Maine), today introduced the Children and Media Research Advancement (CAMRA) Act, legislation that authorizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead a research program on technology and media's effects on infants, children, and adolescents in core areas of cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional development. U.S. Representatives John Delaney (Md.) and Ted Budd (N.C.) introduced companion legislation in the House.

"Children are increasingly using digital devices in their everyday lives, but little is known about the impact technology has on their health and development," said Blunt. "Advancing research to better understand the impact of technology will help parents create a healthy environment for their children to learn and grow."

"While technology educates and entertains our children every day, we need a better understanding of how it impacts their social, psychological, and physical well-being," said Markey. "This bill will enable experts to conduct critical research that will inform parents and policymakers about how best to protect American children's bodies and minds in the digital age."

"This is an exciting time for neuroscience," said Sasse. "What we thought we understood last year is getting upended this year. At the same time, we're discovering more and more about neuroplasticity, our digital habits are changing dramatically. Our kids are immersed in technology that didn't exist five years ago and probably won't exist in another decade. Some of that is good and some of that is bad -- what's certain is that we know less than we ought to. Science fiction is fast becoming reality and we need to invest in this important research now."

"As technology continues to makes it easier for our kids to watch videos or play games on every kind of device, we need to know its long-term effects on their health," said Schatz. "Whether we are addicted to technological devices and platforms is still an open question. This bill will help Congress understand the science behind tech addiction and give us the tools to make effective policy."

"We owe it to our kids to figure out how devices and apps affect their health and well-being," said Bennet. "Congress has a vital role to play on matters of public health, but we must act based on sound evidence. Our bill will enable that research to help guide the tech industry and Congress as we work to do right by our kids."

The research would investigate the impact of exposure to and use of media such as mobile devices, computers, social media, applications, websites, television, motion pictures, artificial intelligence, video games, and virtual and augmented reality. The bill authorizes $15 million for fiscal years 2019 through 2021, and $25 million for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Research indicates that children's use of technology has increased dramatically in recent years. A 2017 report finds that children eight years old and younger spend 48 minutes a day on mobile devices, up from 15 minutes in 2013. Similarly, 42 percent of kids eight years old and younger have their own tablets, a major increase from seven percent in 2013 and a mere one percent in 2011.

Other companies and organizations endorsing the legislation include: Facebook, the Internet Association, American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Center for Digital Democracy, Common Sense Media, Consumers Union, Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development, Dr. Jenny Radesky (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Developmental Behavior, University of Michigan Medical School), Family Online Safety Institute, and the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health.