LAUSD Board Votes to Ban Screen Time for Students Before Second Grade

The Los Angeles Unified School District, known as LAUSD, has passed a new rule about screen time in schools. The school board voted to ban the use of screens in classrooms for students in transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. The rule also sets limits on how much screen time older students can have each day. Board Member Nick Melvoin introduced the plan, and it was approved in April. School leaders say the goal is to make sure technology helps students learn instead of getting in the way.

The new policy builds on a cell phone ban that LAUSD put in place last year. Officials say it creates age-appropriate rules for how technology is used at every grade level. Students in the youngest grades will no longer be allowed to use devices on their own, and streaming platforms like YouTube will be off-limits for them at school. Board Member Melvoin said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, screen time limits were dropped so students could keep learning from home. He called screens a 'necessary lifeline' at that time, but said it's now time to find a better balance.

Starting in August, LAUSD students will no longer be sent home with a school laptop every day. Instead, schools will use shared laptop carts that students can access during the school day. This change is meant to reduce the amount of time students spend on screens outside of class. The district says it wants to focus more on hands-on learning and time spent with teachers. Schools will be encouraged to use technology only when it truly helps with learning.

New screen time limits will roll out in phases over the next couple of years. Beginning in November 2026, second and third graders will be allowed just 20 minutes of screen time per day, while fourth and fifth graders will be allowed 30 minutes per day. Starting in January 2027, middle school students in grades six through eight will be limited to 60 minutes per subject each week. High school students will be allowed up to 90 minutes per subject each week. All of these limits include time spent on homework.

The district will use special software to track how much time students spend on school devices. This means teachers and administrators will be able to see screen time data and make sure the rules are being followed. An LAUSD spokesperson said the changes are meant to balance technology with teacher-led instruction and hands-on activities. The district plans to keep working with teachers, families, and experts to make sure the new rules support all students. Supporters of the policy believe it will protect students' well-being while still giving them the tools they need to learn.