Screen Time Limits Roll Out for LA Schools

The LAUSD has announced a new policy that eliminates screen use for students under second grade while in school. This follows last year’s cell‑phone ban and is intended to give teachers clearer limits on technology integration.

Key Points

• No devices for TK‑1
  Transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and first‑grade students will not be allowed to use laptops or tablets for learning. They also cannot watch YouTube or other video sites independently during school hours.

• Origin of the rule
  Board Member Nick Melvoin proposed the change, noting that phones and tablets became essential during the pandemic. The district now seeks to reassess technology’s role in everyday learning.

• Shift from “bring‑home” computers
  Starting in August, schools will stop giving each student a computer to take home. Instead, teachers can use mobile laptop carts that stay in the classroom for the day.

• Screen‑time limits
• TK‑1: 20 minutes/day
• Grades 2‑4: 30 minutes/day
• Middle school: ~1 hour/subject/week

• High school: up to 90 minutes/class/week (includes homework)

• Monitoring
  From next year, a computer program will track how long devices are used.

Rationale

The district believes the new policy will help teachers balance technology with hands‑on learning and meaningful classroom interaction. They plan to continue collaborating with parents, teachers, and experts to ensure the changes support every student’s success.