Los Angeles schools set limits on classroom screen time

By Daniel Trotta

April 21 (Reuters) - ‌Los Angeles' school ​board ​on Tuesday passed a measure regulating students’ screen time during classroom assignments, reflecting concerns that technology could be linked to a ‌host of ailments including obesity and depression.

The school board of the ⁠nation's second-largest school district approved the measure by a 6-0 vote with one recusal, making ‌the Los Angeles Unified School ‌District among the first in the nation to create systemwide, grade-by-grade limits on classroom screen time.

"Along with the cellphone ban the L.A. Unified School ​District passed in 2024, we hope to be a national leader on these matters," said board member Nick Melvoin, who sponsored the measure, ⁠through a spokesperson.

Proponents said the policy was meant to strike a balance between instructional needs and growing ​concerns that excessive screen exposure is harming students’ attention and social development.

The district, which serves about half a million students, ​has relied heavily on laptops and tablets ‌since the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 accelerated digital learning.

"While access to and developing skills in technology are critical in a ⁠digital world, excessive screen time can be associated with vision problems, increased anxiety and depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, difficulty managing emotions, lower academic achievement and ⁠weaker cognition according to the American Academy of Pediatrics," the resolution said.

The measure cited research ​indicating that children 8 to 11 years old who exceed screen time recommendations are at higher risk for obesity and score lower on cognitive assessments.

The resolution does not immediately ‌ban devices or mandate a uniform time limit. Instead, it calls on district staff to develop age-appropriate guidelines with ‌input from educators, families and public health experts. Until then, existing school-level rules ⁠will remain in place.

Skeptics cautioned ‌that screen limits must be ​implemented carefully to avoid harming students with disabilities who rely on technology.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by ‌Thomas Derpinghaus)

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