States Crack Down on School Screen Time | Seattle News

Four states have enacted new laws this year to cap screen time for young students in schools, sparking a national debate over digital learning’s role in early education. Iowa limits daily digital instruction to 60 minutes for grades K–5, Utah is crafting grade-specific tech rules including a ban on one device per elementary student, Tennessee mandates policies to reduce unnecessary screen use, and Alabama sets screen time standards plus teacher training for early education. This follows successful statewide cell phone bans, as lawmakers now target broader screen time issues. Yet, some proposals stalled—Missouri’s bill died in the Senate, and Oklahoma’s 60-minute cap for pre-K through fifth grade faced opposition. Critics like the Software and Information Industry Association warn of costs and job readiness concerns, while districts like LA Unified are acting independently, phasing in screen time limits starting before second grade. Students are divided: some say screen time rules should teach responsibility, not just restrict devices, while others argue not all screen time is equal. Health officials are sounding the alarm, pushing for balance between learning and development as this critical conversation continues to evolve. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2d028c3013c32935