LAUSD bans screen time before the second grade, marking one of nation’s strictest policies

Los Angeles Unified School District will ban classroom screen time before second grade and has enacted limited use for older students, under a pioneering policy approved by the school board that reflects growing backlash from parents and educators who are concerned about an over-reliance on computers and technology in K-12 learning. Grassroots coalitions have pushed for limits in California and nationwide as parents have become alarmed over how digital activities are replacing hands-on learning and peer interaction. Beginning in August, district guidelines will prohibit in-school screen time from preschool through first grade. It will restrict daily screen time to 20 minutes—including homework assignments—in second and third grade and 30 minutes in fourth and fifth grade beginning in November. Middle school students will be limited to one hour of screen time spread throughout the week in each class, for a total of six hours weekly to account for a variety of class schedules. The time will increase to 1.5 hours for high school students and is not to exceed 10 hours a week.