TX HB4994

Directs the Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency, to conduct a study on the short-term and long-term effects of online activity on the well-being of children under 18 years old

Requires the study to define "digital well-being" for children, identify positive outcomes for children's online activity, and develop recommendations to achieve those outcomes

Mandates examination of types of online activity and content that correspond with different well-being outcomes, as well as best practices from public and private institutions for safe and healthy online activity

Requires solicitation of feedback from children and their parents or legal guardians about specific harms experienced from online activity

Report summarizing study results and legislative recommendations must be submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and DSHS commissioner by December 1, 2027; the Act expires January 1, 2028