IOWA — The Iowa House of Representatives passed a bill in 2026 that would limit elementary students' screen time and allow parents to opt their children out of school-issued devices. The legislation received backing from both Moms for Liberty and the Iowa State Education Association.

Conservative parent groups, including Moms for Liberty chapters, united with local teachers unions and liberal-leaning parents to push school districts and state lawmakers to limit the time children spend on screens in schools. The Iowa State Education Association backed the bill co-sponsored by a Republican lawmaker who is also a Moms for Liberty chapter leader.

"We don't want to immediately tune someone out just because of our perceptions about their organization," said Melissa Peterson, lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association. "If they want to use their powers for good."

Moms for Liberty, which launched in 2021, previously focused on race and gender issues in schools and is now focusing on student use of technology. The organization had previously characterized teachers unions using harsh rhetoric, saying parents "cannot trust" teachers unions.

"When they're willing to put parental rights of children first and defend parental rights, we will stand with them every time," said Tina Descovich, CEO of Moms for Liberty.

The Iowa screen time limitation bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Heather Matson, a Democrat, and Rep. Samantha Fett, a Republican. After the Iowa House passed the proposal, Moms for Liberty posted on Facebook praising Democratic Rep. Heather Matson.

Bipartisan state legislation seeking limits on education technology has been introduced in multiple states, with members of Moms for Liberty, Defending Education, and Utah Parents United testifying in support. Parents in Los Angeles and in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., began urging school districts to reduce the provision or classroom use of laptops or tablets for students.

The Missouri state chapter of the National Education Association joined Defending Education in supporting a bill to study and determine limits for school-issued devices. The Kansas chapter of the National Education Association opposed legislation that would prohibit elementary students from using computers or tablets at all.