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

These include:

Eliminate devices for the youngest students. Remove digital devices from PK-3rd grade classrooms, except where required for mandated assessments. Children at this stage of development need hands-on, in-person learning experiences above all else.

Set specific, enforceable screen time limits by grade level. Establish clear daily and weekly maximums for student screen use on district devices, with less screen time for younger students. Screen time should be prioritized only when it provides educational value that cannot be replicated offline.

Reduce 1:1 device programs in elementary school. Transition to shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 4-8. Permanent 1:1 device assignment for young children is not supported by research and contributes to excessive cumulative screen exposure.

Block non-educational platforms on district devices. Prohibit student access to YouTube, social media, and non-instructional gaming platforms like Roblox during the school day. Teachers may retain the ability to use appropriate video content for instruction, but unsupervised student access has no place in the classroom.

Ban device use during unstructured time. Prohibit device use during passing periods, lunch, and recess for elementary and middle school students. These moments of unstructured time are critical for social development and should not be dominated by screens.

Provide parents with transparency regarding technology exposure- both on devices and in teacher-led instruction.

Encourage paper, physical textbooks, and off-screen homework. Research consistently shows better comprehension and retention with print materials. Policies should actively encourage analog alternatives, especially for homework at the elementary and middle school level.

Evaluate all EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy. Require independent review of EdTech products. Do not rely solely on vendor-supplied research. Ensure student data is protected and that contracts include accountability mechanisms.