America's Schools Face a Backlash on Digital Devices
Thursday, 2026/05/28215 words3 minutes1888 reads
Just a few years ago, American public schools rushed to provide every child with a laptop or tablet. The goal was to prepare students for a technology-driven future. Schools invested billions of dollars in devices, apps, and digital learning tools.
Now, the conversation has completely changed. Classrooms have become saturated with screens, and a growing number of parents, teachers, and school districts believe it's time to scale back. Teachers report constant battles with distraction as students play games and watch videos during class instead of focusing on lessons.
Los Angeles Unified School District recently became the first major district to announce it will stop giving devices to its youngest students. The new policy eliminates devices until second grade, sets screen time limits for older grades, blocks YouTube, and bans devices during lunch and recess. The district will also audit its education technology contracts, which total $1.6 billion.
Parents are particularly frustrated because they try to limit screen time at home, only to have schools mandate screens for homework and classwork. Many have formed advocacy groups and are pressuring schools to return to textbooks and paper assignments. At least 14 states have proposed laws to limit screen time in schools, and the federal government has issued warnings about excessive screen use becoming a public health concern.
