We, the parents and community members of Waunakee, urge the Waunakee Community School District to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.

School-aged children in America average about 4-9 hours per day on screens outside of school. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts have unintentionally compounded it through unchecked use of classroom devices, 1:1 device programs, and EdTech platforms with little accountability. The American Academy of Pediatrics has linked excessive screen time to vision problems, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, and lower academic achievement. This is not a future risk. It is happening to our children now.

We were encouraged to see Los Angeles Unified School District -- the second-largest school district in the nation -- pass a landmark resolution in early 2026 committing to a formal Screen Time Policy with specific, enforceable limits. LAUSD's leadership demonstrates that districts of any size can take meaningful action. Other districts across the nation, including the New York City Public School District and our neighbor the Madison Metropolitan School District, are also making strides to protect our children from excessive screen time, EdTech, and AI. We are asking the Waunakee Community School District to follow their example.

Our Requests

We urge the Waunakee Community School District to adopt a comprehensive screen time policy that includes the following:

1. Age-gated framework for technology use (with IEP and 504 Plan exceptions):

4K-2: Device-free classrooms. Remove digital devices from early education through 2nd grade classrooms, except where required for mandated assessments. Children at this stage of development need hands-on, in-person learning experiences above all else. Permanent 1:1 device assignment for young children is not supported by research and contributes to excessive cumulative screen exposure.

3-8: Chromebook cart or computer lab model; devices may be checked out for home use with guardian permission. Coursework does not require the use of 1:1 technology.

9-12: 1:1 Chromebooks available; devices may be checked out for home use with guardian permission. Coursework does not require the use of 1:1 technology. 

In addition, students should learn to use technology responsibly and effectively in a structured, supervised environment before using 1:1 devices for testing or unsupervised activities, such as establishing keyboarding fluency before students are tested on computers. 

2. Restrict the use of student-facing AI

AI is a tool for competent professionals to improve productivity, not for learners and novices who have not yet developed skills. Research has proven AI use by students not only inhibits critical thinking, but removes the very struggle necessary to learn. AI should be banned K-8 and its use in grades 9-12 severely restricted, allowing for elective courses teaching thoughtful and responsible AI use at the high school level. Permanently turn-off AI assistants on platforms such as Google.

3. 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.

4. Provide parents with transparency and meaningful opt-out rights. 

Share weekly reports on children's screen activity on district devices. 

Allow families to opt out of specific EdTech programs -- not just blanket consent forms -- and ensure alternative learning methods are always available. This is achievable - The Madison Metropolitan School District recently implemented a tiered opt-out model in its schools.

As parents in the Waunakee Community School District, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. The science is clear. The public consensus is growing. LAUSD has shown it can be done. We respectfully urge the Waunakee Community School District to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.