Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Chicago Public Schools
A campaign from Schools Beyond Screens - Chicago CPS
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Why This Matters
As parents in Chicago Public Schools, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. We want our schools to be places where kids are curious, connected, and fully present. We share that goal with our teachers and administrators, and we believe CPS has both the opportunity and the means to make it happen.
We're not alone in this. Large districts across the country are already acting: LA Unified's recently-passed policy set hard grade-level screen time limits, blocked YouTube and gaming platforms on school devices, removed devices for the youngest students, and added weekly screen reports for parents. Dozens more have followed, not because of a mandate from above, but because parents organized, showed up, and made it impossible to ignore.
The CPS Board of Education already has the authority to act, without waiting for state or federal guidance. This petition, grounded in policies other districts have already put in place, is our way of showing them that parents and the community are paying attention, and that we're ready to work with them to get there.
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Dear CPS Board of Education,
We are writing to urge Chicago Public Schools to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.
Children in America already spend an average of 7.5 hours per day on screens outside of school. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts have unintentionally compounded it through 1:1 device programs, unchecked use of classroom devices, and EdTech platforms with little accountability. The American Academy of Pediatrics has linked excessive screen time to vision problems, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, and lower academic achievement. This is not a future risk. It is happening to our children now. Screen time crowds out what children need most: real play, face-to-face connection, and the hands-on, multisensory experiences that support social, emotional, and developmental growth.
We were encouraged to see Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation, commit to a formal screen time policy in June 2026 with specific, enforceable limits. LAUSD's leadership demonstrates that districts of any size can take meaningful action. We are asking Chicago Public Schools to follow their example.
Dear CPS Board of Education,
We are writing to urge Chicago Public Schools to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.
Children in America already spend an average of 7.5 hours per day on screens outside of school. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts have unintentionally compounded it through 1:1 device programs, unchecked use of classroom devices, and EdTech platforms with little accountability. The American Academy of Pediatrics has linked excessive screen time to vision problems, anxiety, depression, addictive behavior, reduced attention span, and lower academic achievement. This is not a future risk. It is happening to our children now. Screen time crowds out what children need most: real play, face-to-face connection, and the hands-on, multisensory experiences that support social, emotional, and developmental growth.
We were encouraged to see Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation, commit to a formal screen time policy in June 2026 with specific, enforceable limits. LAUSD's leadership demonstrates that districts of any size can take meaningful action. We are asking Chicago Public Schools to follow their example.
Our Requests:
We urge Chicago Public Schools to adopt a comprehensive device and screen time policy that includes the following:
We urge Chicago Public Schools to adopt a comprehensive device and screen time policy that includes the following:
1. Eliminate devices for the youngest students Remove digital devices from early education through 2nd grade classrooms, except where required for students with disabilities or mandated assessments. Young children are in a critical window of motor, sensory, and social development. Hands-on, in-person learning is what they need most.
2. Reduce 1:1 device programs in elementary school. Transition to shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 3 through 5. Permanent 1:1 device assignment for young children is not developmentally supported and contributes to excessive cumulative screen exposure. Studies also show that students better comprehend what they read and learn through print materials.
3. Set specific, enforceable screen time limits by grade level. Establish clear daily and weekly maximums for student screen use on district devices, with less screen time for younger students. Screen time should be prioritized only when it provides educational value that cannot be replicated offline.
4. Prohibit device use during unstructured time. Require device-free passing periods, lunch, and recess for elementary and middle school students. These windows of unstructured time are essential for social and emotional development and should not be filled with screens.
5. Increase Transparency and Family Awareness. Share regular reports with families on how devices are being used in the classroom, including screen time patterns and which platforms and programs students are accessing.
6. Block non-educational platforms on district devices. Prohibit student access to YouTube, social media, and non-instructional gaming platforms like Roblox during the school day. Teachers may retain the ability to use appropriate video content for instruction, but unrestricted or unsupervised student access creates unnecessary distractions and risks.
7. Encourage print materials, books, handwriting and off-screen homework. Research has linked screen-based reading in young children to weaker language and literacy outcomes. Policies should actively support analog alternatives, and should prohibit assigning online homework or sending devices home with elementary and middle school students.
8. Evaluate all EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy. Require independent review of approved EdTech vendors and products. Do not rely solely on vendor-supplied research. Ensure student data is protected and that contracts include accountability mechanisms.
As parents in Chicago Public Schools, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. We want our schools to be places where kids are curious, connected, and fully present. We share that goal with our teachers and administrators, and we believe CPS has both the opportunity and the means to make it happen.
The research is clear, and momentum for change is building nationwide. We believe many CPS parents share these same concerns, and we hope this petition helps bring our community together around it. We respectfully ask Chicago Public Schools to take meaningful action to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.
As parents in Chicago Public Schools, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. We want our schools to be places where kids are curious, connected, and fully present. We share that goal with our teachers and administrators, and we believe CPS has both the opportunity and the means to make it happen.
The research is clear, and momentum for change is building nationwide. We believe many CPS parents share these same concerns, and we hope this petition helps bring our community together around it. We respectfully ask Chicago Public Schools to take meaningful action to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Recent Supporters
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4 days ago
Parent
Signed in Chicago, IL
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6 days ago
Parent
Signed in Chicago, IL
-
6 days ago
Parent
Signed in Chicago, IL
4 supporters have signed this campaign
Sign This Campaign
4
Signatures
Together, we're changing what's normal
Recent supporters:
Parent signed
4 days ago
Parent signed
6 days ago
Parent signed
6 days ago
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