Why Schools are Changing Their Tune on Screens episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 8, 2026 · 54 MIN

Why Schools are Changing Their Tune on Screens

from KQED's Forum · host KQED

Los Angeles students began this school year with new limits on screen time, both in-school and for homework. It’s a trend starting to appear statewide, with even parents in Silicon Valley fighting for similar restrictions on laptops and tablets – especially in younger grades. This comes a year into the statewide ban on cell phones in classrooms, and as teachers across California are evaluating the broader role of technology and generative AI in the classroom. New York Times reporter Natasha Singer interviewed parents, educators and students across California. She joins us to talk about what’s inspiring the movement and how the tech industry came to have such an outsized presence in the classroom. Her new book is “Coding Kids: Big Tech’s Battle to Remake Public Schools.” Guests: Natasha Singer, reporter covering technology in schools, The New York Times; author, “Coding Kids: Big Tech’s Battle to Remake Public Schools” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 8, 2026

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Why Schools are Changing Their Tune on Screens

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