High school senior Aliyah Pack, who has ADHD, finds it hard to concentrate on screens in her Pennsylvania school district, where students use iPads from kindergarten and receive MacBooks in eighth grade. She often watches Netflix in class, hiding earbuds behind her hair. Her mother requested the school remove her laptop, but was told it was not possible.
Across the US, parents are voicing concerns about excessive screen time in schools and lobbying for a return to pencil and paper. In Lower Merion Township, over 600 people signed a petition to preserve the ability to opt children out of digital devices. The school district says it is not feasible to let hundreds of students opt out of technology essential to the curriculum.
At a school board meeting, members considered responses to parental concerns but ruled out opt-outs. “There is not an option for us to not have technology in schools,” said board member Anna Shurak. Over 100 protesters attended, wearing buttons reading “Screens Down, Pencils Up.” Many parents emphasised they are not anti-tech but want tech to not dominate classrooms.
Parents criticised gamified educational software like DreamBox, which they say incentivises rushing through levels. One parent noted her second-grade daughter felt slowed down by methodical problem-solving. Another parent said his son’s screen addiction led him to watch YouTube on the school laptop after having his phone and TV taken away. “The screen is killing him,” he said.
At least 14 states have proposed laws to limit school screen time, with four passing legislation. Los Angeles will ban screens until second grade and cap daily screen time. Vermont proposed allowing teachers to decline classroom tech. Lower Merion says it is listening and has blocked problematic websites, but maintains that technology is integral to learning.
