Los Angeles school district limits classroom screen time for young students

The Los Angeles education board has voted to restrict student screen time in classrooms, becoming the first major US school district to implement such limits.

The new policy bans the use of devices for first-grade students and younger and requires staff to develop screen-time guidelines based on grade level.

The district, which serves about half a million students, aims to reduce reliance on tablets and laptops that increased during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The restrictions will also ban YouTube and other video-streaming platforms on school-issued devices.

Parents will have the option to opt their children out of using specific digital tools under the new resolution.

The policy is expected to be implemented in the next school year.

The board cited research showing that children aged 8 to 11 who exceed screen-time guidelines face higher risks of obesity, depressive symptoms, and lower cognitive assessment scores.

This follows a 2024 measure banning mobile phones and social media use in classrooms.

Board member Nick Melvoin, who introduced the resolution, stated that while devices were essential during the pandemic, it is now time to reset and prioritize student learning over screen use.

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