America’s schools face a reckoning on digital devices

Key Points:

• After years of widespread distribution of laptops and tablets in U.S. public schools, a growing movement is pushing to reduce screen time, citing concerns about distraction and screen addiction among students.
• Los Angeles Unified School District has implemented a new policy banning devices for students until second grade, setting screen time limits for older students, and banning device use during lunch and recess, reflecting a broader national trend.
• Parents and teachers report difficulties balancing screen limits at home with mandatory school-issued devices, noting increased distractions and reduced engagement with traditional learning methods like reading physical books.
• The pandemic accelerated the push for digital learning tools, but educators and policymakers are now questioning the effectiveness of excessive screen use and seeking to reset technology integration in classrooms.
• Some school districts are scaling back device distribution due to financial costs and concerns over misuse, while parent groups are advocating for options to opt out of digital-only learning in favor of traditional materials.