The Los Angeles school board has approved a new measure aimed at regulating students’ screen time during classroom activities, following growing concerns over the impact of digital devices on children’s health and development.
The decision, passed unanimously by a 6-0 vote with one abstention, makes the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) one of the first major school systems in the United States to introduce district-wide, grade-specific limits on screen use in classrooms.
School board member Nick Melvoin, who sponsored the measure, said the policy seeks to balance the educational benefits of technology with increasing concerns about its potential negative effects on students.
The district, which serves around 500,000 students, has relied heavily on digital devices such as laptops and tablets since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards online and tech-based learning.
Supporters of the resolution argue that excessive screen exposure has been linked to issues such as reduced attention span, anxiety, depression, and poorer academic performance. The policy also referenced findings from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlighting risks including vision problems, behavioural addiction, and weaker cognitive development.
Research cited in the resolution also suggests that children aged 8 to 11 who exceed recommended screen time levels face a higher risk of obesity and lower cognitive test scores.
However, the measure does not impose an immediate ban or fixed time limits. Instead, it directs district staff to develop age-appropriate guidelines in consultation with educators, parents, and health experts, while existing school-level rules remain in place for now.
Some critics have raised concerns that strict screen time policies must be carefully implemented to ensure they do not negatively affect students who depend on assistive technologies for learning support.
