Los Angeles School Board Implements New Screen Time Limits for Students
Los Angeles school board votes to set limits on classroom screen time
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
The Los Angeles Unified School District's board has approved a resolution to limit classroom screen time, effective from the 2026-2027 school year. The policy aims to reduce device usage among students and is based on research linking excessive screen time to negative mental health outcomes. This initiative could set a precedent for other districts across the U.S.
- 01The resolution passed with a unanimous vote of 6-0.
- 02Daily and weekly screen time limits will be set based on grade level.
- 03Elementary and middle school students will be prohibited from using devices during passing periods, lunch, and recess.
- 04The policy aims to address concerns about excessive screen time linked to anxiety and lower academic performance.
- 05This initiative may influence similar policies in other school districts nationwide.
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On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board unanimously approved a resolution to limit classroom screen time for students, aiming to combat the adverse effects associated with excessive device usage. The new policy, which will take effect in the 2026-2027 school year, sets daily and weekly screen time limits based on grade levels and prohibits elementary and middle school students from using devices during passing periods, lunch, and recess. Additionally, access to YouTube on district devices will be blocked. This decision follows research from the American Academy of Pediatrics that links high screen time to increased anxiety, depression, and lower academic achievement. Proponents, including school board member Nick Melvoin, hope this initiative will serve as a model for other districts across the country. The resolution is part of a broader movement to reconsider the role of educational technology in schools, coinciding with California's Phone-Free School Act, which mandates policies to limit smartphone use by July 2026. Despite some hesitance from LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho regarding strict restrictions, the board's resolution marks a significant step in addressing digital tool addiction in education.
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The new screen time limits aim to improve students' mental health and academic performance by reducing excessive screen use in classrooms.
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