Los Angeles schools set limits on classroom screen time

Los Angeles' school board on Tuesday passed a measure regulating students’ screen time during classroom assignments, reflecting concerns that technology could be linked to a host of ailments including obesity and depression.



The school board of the nation's second-largest school district approved the measure by a 6-0 vote with one recusal, making the Los Angeles Unified School District among the first in the nation to create systemwide, grade-by-grade limits on classroom screen time.



"Along with the cellphone ban the L.A. Unified School District passed in 2024, we hope to be a national leader on these matters," said board member Nick Melvoin, who sponsored the measure, through a spokesperson.



Proponents said the policy was meant to strike a balance between instructional needs and growing concerns that excessive screen exposure is harming students' attention and social development.



The district, which serves about half a million students, has relied heavily on laptops and tablets since the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 accelerated digital learning.



The measure cited research indicating that children 8 to 11 years old who exceed screen time recommendations are at higher risk for obesity and score lower on cognitive assessments.