Episode 2:24 Rethinking Devices in Elementary Schools

rushed to put a screen in every child’s hands. It made sense in 2020. But in 2026… does it still? In this episode of Interventions and Detentions, Brad asks the uncomfortable question many educators are thinking but not saying out loud: Have we gone too far with devices in elementary classrooms? Students in some grades are spending close to two hours a day on school-issued screens. Research shows comprehension can drop when reading digitally. Attention spans are shifting. Social development looks different. And some districts across the country are quietly scaling technology back in K–5 while keeping it strong in secondary settings. So what does the research actually say? What trends are emerging? And what should a balanced K–12 approach really look like? This isn’t anti-technology. High school students absolutely need digital fluency. But are we asking kindergarteners to function like mini knowledge workers? If you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent wrestling with screen time, instructional quality, and long-term impact — this episode is an honest, data-informed conversation about where we may need to recalibrate.