School districts across America begin rolling back student device use |
Schools across the United States are increasingly reassessing the widespread use of laptops, tablets, and digital learning tools in classrooms, as parents, teachers, and policymakers raise concerns about distractions, declining academic performance, and excessive screen time. Major districts have introduced new restrictions on student devices, with Los Angeles USD set to eliminate devices for younger students, limit screen time for older grades, block YouTube on school-issued devices, and ban devices during lunch and recess. The shift follows years of rapid technology adoption accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools distributed devices widely to support remote learning. Parents and educators argue that school-issued devices have contributed to distractions, social isolation, and dependency on screens, while also undermining efforts to limit technology use at home. Some districts are also scaling back device programs due to rising repair and replacement costs. Critics of heavy classroom technology use say digital learning tools have often replaced traditional instruction without clear evidence of improved educational outcomes, prompting growing calls for a return to textbooks, paper assignments, and reduced screen exposure for students.
