In Ardmore, Pennsylvania, high school senior Aliyah Pack finds it difficult to concentrate when learning from a screen. She often watches Netflix in class on her school laptop, hiding her earbuds behind her hair. Her mother requested the school remove the laptop, but was told it was not possible.
Across the United States, parents are voicing concerns about excessive screen time in schools and advocating for a return to traditional methods like pencil and paper. In Lower Merion Township, over 600 people have signed a petition to preserve the ability to opt children out of digital devices during the school day. The school district, however, argues that allowing hundreds of students to opt out of technology essential to the curriculum is not feasible.
Disagreement Over Classroom Technology Use
At a school board meeting, members discussed updating technology policies but rejected the idea of opt-outs. Board member Anna Shurak stated, 'There is not an option for us to not have technology in schools.' Over 100 protesters attended, wearing buttons reading 'Screens Down, Pencils Up.' Many parents emphasized they are not anti-tech but believe technology should not dominate the classroom.
Parent Sara Sullivan explained, 'Teaching how to use technology is not the same thing as using technology to teach everything else.'
Technology's Inescapable Role in Schools
The debate raises the question of whether technology has become so intertwined with learning that opting out is impossible. Students use devices for educational games, homework, online resources, and writing essays. However, parents question the value of gamified educational software. Subashini Subramanian noted that her second-grade daughter's math software, DreamBox, incentivizes rushing through levels for points, discouraging thorough problem-solving.
Many parents are exhausted from battling their kids over screen time. Adam Washington shared that his son struggles with screen addiction, and even after taking away his phone or TV, he finds him watching YouTube on the school laptop. 'The screen is killing him. It is killing me, and him, together with our relationship,' Washington said.
Another parent, Seth Ruderman, argued that opting out is not a solution but avoiding the hard work of finding a solution.
Parental Pushback Leads to Change
Nationally, the pushback on classroom technology has gained momentum. According to Ballotpedia, at least 14 states have proposed laws to limit screen time in schools, with four states—Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, and Iowa—passing such legislation. In Los Angeles, the second-largest school district plans to ban screens until second grade, require daily screen time caps per grade, ban YouTube, and audit all education technology contracts.
In Vermont, proposed legislation would allow both parents and teachers to decline classroom tech. Democratic State Rep. Angela Arsenault, a bill co-sponsor, said she is responding to parents' worries about educational technology. 'Parents in many districts and states just aren’t being listened to or not being heard when they ask that their students not be forced to use these products,' Arsenault said.
The Lower Merion school district says it is listening to community concerns and has made changes, including blocking problematic websites flagged by parents. Superintendent Frank Ranelli wrote in a letter, 'We have wonderful teachers who have continuously prioritized human interaction and relationships.' He declined to comment further. The district is exploring stronger cellphone restrictions, not allowing youngest students to take devices home, and installing surveillance software to monitor students. However, such software poses privacy risks. In 2010, the district paid $610,000 to settle lawsuits over spying via webcams on school-issued laptops.
Students Seek Balance and Accountability
High school student Mia Tatar, 16, raised concerns that anti-tech backlash has led to overly strict internet filters, blocking appropriate research topics like breast cancer. She believes students need to learn responsible technology use. 'It doesn’t teach kids how to hold themselves accountable and how to be responsible for regulating their own screen time once they’re in the world,' Mia said.
Her friend Elliot Campbell, 15, suggested strict limits on screen use in early grades but more freedom for older students. 'If we lose our laptops or if we lose the partial freedom we have on them, it’s not going to prepare us for college,' Elliot told board members.
Fellow student Joaquin Imaizumi, 17, holds a different view. He said it is 'completely unfair' to expect children to regulate addictive devices. 'This isn’t about learning to constrain yourself. We don’t give someone drugs and say, “OK, now learn how to deal with this.”' He expressed concern that devices make it too tempting to use AI tools like ChatGPT, eroding critical thinking. 'I’ve seen the atrophy of my peers’ thinking, which is existentially concerning,' Joaquin said.
The influence of AI starts early. Second-grader Lillian Keshet told the board that Google Docs gives her suggestions for writing. 'I’m a pretty good writer by myself. I don’t need your suggestions, Google!' she said.
