Efforts to Limit Screen Time in Schools Gain Momentum

When Lila Byock’s son was 11, she became concerned about his constant use of a school-issued iPad. It seemed inseparable from him, even leading to a penalty for not having it during PE class. Byock questioned the school in central Los Angeles about the necessity of digital learning years after the COVID-19 pandemic had subsided. She received no substantial explanation other than, “We got these during COVID and might as well keep using them.”

Motivated by her concerns, Byock began conversations with other parents and founded Schools Beyond Screens, an advocacy group that grew from Los Angeles to nationwide. Parents consistently share the same concern: “This is an emergency — what can we do about it?”

Last week, after months of advocacy, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board voted unanimously to limit screen time for all grade levels starting in the fall, with a focus on elementary students. This decision marks a significant change for a district that had embraced classroom technology post-pandemic.

States React to Screen Time Concerns

LAUSD’s decision mirrors efforts in other states. Since January, states like Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia have passed legislation to reconsider technology’s role in education. More than 10 additional states are exploring similar restrictions.

T. Philip Nichols, associate professor at Baylor University, describes these actions as a “pendulum swing.” He notes that while technology can enhance learning, it also reshapes thinking and communication. Proposed legislation in Vermont referenced Nichols’ research, which suggests that widespread tech use hasn’t improved test scores or student achievement. The Vermont bill also highlights concerns about student data privacy, noting that platforms collect data to market products to schools.

Balancing Technology in Education

Despite concerns, some experts support technology’s potential. Tracy Weeks from Instructure, a company providing digital classroom tools like Canvas and Mastery, advises against hasty bans on school screen time. “Not all tech use is equal,” she argues, differentiating between passive content consumption and interactive learning activities.

Bipartisan Efforts and Legislative Movements

Following LAUSD’s vote to limit screen time, the district administration faces a June deadline to formulate an official policy. Utah’s new law limiting screen time will take effect on July 1, giving its board of education until year-end to draft a new policy.

In Missouri, a state House bill limiting screen time gained bipartisan support. Initially rigid, requiring no more than 45 minutes of screen time and mandatory cursive writing, amendments made it flexible. Schools now craft their own policies. Kathy Steinhoff, a Democrat and former teacher, initially hesitated but supported the bill after it became less prescriptive.

The Missouri bill sets a 2027 deadline for policy implementation, which Steinhoff argues is too ambitious.