Beyond the Clock: What “Screen Time” Really Means (Part 1)

Welcome to the first episode of a new three-part Consortium for School Networking Podcast series exploring the work of Cooper Sved, CoSN’s 2025 Blaschke Fellow.As both a practicing public school teacher and an education researcher and analyst, Cooper brings research, policy, family perspectives, and classroom experience into one of education’s most complicated conversations: screen time.This series moves beyond the question of whether screens are simply good or bad. Instead, it examines how schools can make more thoughtful decisions about personal devices, educational technology, student learning, family concerns, and teacher preparation.In Part One, we explore Cooper’s articles “What Does ‘Screen Time’ Mean, Anyway?” and “Children, Screens, and Parent Perspectives.”The episode examines why screen time should not be treated as one single activity. Time spent scrolling through social media is different from time spent using assistive technology, collaborating on a class project, receiving feedback, or creating something new. Although the same type of device may be involved, the purpose and experience can be very different.The discussion also considers the complicated relationship families have with technology. Parents may recognize the educational value of digital tools while still worrying about attention, development, online safety, and the amount of time children spend on devices.Listeners will learn:Why counting minutes provides an incomplete picture of screen useHow personal phones and social media differ from school-selected educational technologyWhy families may support technology while still asking for clearer boundariesHow schools can explain the purpose and value of digital tools more effectivelyWhy technology should support strong teaching rather than replace itHow digital and nondigital learning can work together in a balanced classroomAcross this three-part series, we will also examine school cell phone policies, purposeful educational technology, digital literacy, student preparation, teacher trust, and the professional development required for successful EdTech implementation.Subscribe to the CoSN Podcast so you do not miss Part Two, when we explore Cooper’s articles “Cell Phones, Schools, and Solutions” and “Performance Without Paper.”Assets 2025 Blaschke Report & ToolkitBlaschke Report Preview and Blog Series from Cooper SvedWhat Does ‘Screen Time’ Mean, Anyway?⁠⁠Children, Screens, and Parent PerspectivesLearn More: To explore more CoSN resources, professional learning opportunities, and leadership conversations in K–12 education technology, visit CoSN.Produced in partnership with⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠edCircuit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CoSN is vendor-neutral and does not endorse products or services. Any mention of a specific solution is for contextual purposes. This episode was generated in part using AI tools. All content was reviewed and approved by CoSN and the edCircuit editorial team before publication.