‘Rethinking school time’ means limited screens for Los Angeles students starting next year

For all its Tinseltown traditions, Los Angeles is setting remarkably firm boundaries over technology in public-school classrooms.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) approved a board resolution April 21, which mandated grade-level screen time limits starting in August, Mashable reported.

Among the regulations are “a complete ban on device usage for kindergarten and first grade” along with limited time on individual devices, such as Chromebooks, for second through fifth grades.

“Revised guidelines will also address video-aided lesson plans, access to video streaming platforms like YouTube, and expanded restrictions on gaming and social media platforms.”

As reported by The Lion, the state is working to implement limits on smartphone use in schools by July 1, which was mandated through the Phone-Free School Act.

However, this resolution goes further by targeting such devices as computers, tablets and laptops.

“We know that tech is not going away and can be a powerful tool in the classroom,” said board member Nick Melvoin. “This is not about going backwards. This is about rethinking school time and screen time in schools to ensure we are doing what actually helps students learn best.”

The board unanimously approved the resolution with one recusal, according to Mashable.

“District staff must present the revised tech use policy by June, which will go into effect for all LAUSD students beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Guidelines will be reevaluated every year, and schools are tasked with tracking and sharing student screen time numbers with parents.”

‘Where learning takes precedence over likes’

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Phone-Free School Act in September 2024, which WebProNews described as “a cultural pivot, challenging the notion that connectivity equals progress.”

“By fostering environments where learning takes precedence over likes, the state aims to nurture healthier, more engaged generations,” the article concluded.

More studies have been warning about screen addiction among U.S. youth, including a recent report by the American Medical Association tracking more than 4,000 adolescents over four years.

“Adolescence is a vulnerable period for addictive behaviors, and recent findings suggest that young adolescents are particularly susceptible to screen addiction,” editorialists wrote.

High screen use was linked to a greater risk for “suicidal behaviors, suicidal ideation and worse mental health” among teens, according to the article.

As a result, many lawmakers are describing cellphone bans as a public good to support students’ well-being.

“This is not just an academic bill,” Georgia Republican Rep. Scott Hilton said of legislation for grades K-8 to ban cellphones. “This is a mental health bill. It’s a public safety bill.”