Building on the momentum and success of cellphone bans already enacted across the country, it’s time for schools to embrace intentional, kid-centered, evidence-based policies around classroom technology.

Schools Beyond Screens – Austin is asking Austin ISD to adopt a comprehensive screen time and technology policy that prioritizes learning, healthy development, student safety, privacy, and human connection.

1. Eliminate Devices for the Youngest Students

Remove digital devices from early education through 2nd grade, except where required for mandated assessments or individual student needs.

Young children should spend their school days building foundational skills through hands-on learning, reading, writing, play, movement, conversation, and direct interaction with teachers and peers.

2. Set Clear Screen Time Limits by Grade Level

Establish specific, enforceable daily and weekly limits for student screen use on district devices, with less screen time for younger students.

Technology should be used when it provides meaningful instructional value—not simply as the default method of delivering instruction or completing assignments.

3. Reduce 1:1 Device Use in Elementary and Middle School

Transition from permanently assigned 1:1 devices to shared laptop carts, computer labs, or other limited-access models for grades 3–8.

Students should have access to technology when it is instructionally useful without having a device continuously available throughout the school day.

4. Block Digital Distractions

Block student access to YouTube, social media, non-instructional gaming, video-streaming platforms, and other digital distractions on school-issued devices.

Teachers should still be able to use appropriate video and digital content for instructional purposes without providing students unrestricted access.

5. Protect Screen-Free Time

Prohibit student device use during passing periods, lunch, recess, and free time for elementary and middle school students.

Screen time should not be used as a reward, incentive, or behavioral reinforcement. Students need opportunities throughout the school day for movement, conversation, play, creativity, and social connection.

6. Strengthen Transparency, Privacy & Parent Choice

Give families greater visibility and meaningful choice regarding how technology is used with their children.

Provide families with information about student screen activity, clear opt-out options for individual EdTech programs, and non-digital alternatives without penalty. Strengthen student data privacy protections and provide parental controls for school-issued devices used at home.

7. Prioritize Analog Learning

Encourage handwriting, paper assignments, physical books and textbooks, manipulatives, discussion, and other off-screen learning experiences—particularly in elementary and middle school.

Homework should also have meaningful offline options whenever technology is not necessary to accomplish the learning objective.

8. Independently Evaluate EdTech

Require EdTech products and contracts to demonstrate educational value, safety, and appropriate student data protections.

District decisions should be informed by independent evidence—not solely vendor-funded or vendor-supplied research—and student-facing EdTech should be ad-free.

9. Pause Student-Facing Generative AI

Prohibit student-facing generative AI tools on district devices and in district curriculum until independent research demonstrates that they are safe, developmentally appropriate, and effective for learning.

Schools should protect students from inappropriate AI-generated content and preserve opportunities for students to develop the thinking, writing, problem-solving, and creative skills that AI tools can allow them to bypass.

10. Ask Three Questions Before Adopting Technology

Before introducing any new technology or EdTech product for student use, Austin ISD should ask:

Is it safe?

Is there independent, conclusive evidence that the technology increases learning outcomes?

Is it superior to the non-digital alternatives?