Dear Matias Segura and Austin ISD Board of Trustees,
We are writing to urge Austin ISD to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.
Children in America already spend an average of nine hours per day on screens outside of school. Rather than counterbalancing this trend, many districts have unintentionally compounded it through unchecked use of classroom devices, 1:1 device programs, and EdTech platforms with little accountability or evidence-based results. 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.
We were encouraged to see Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) -- the second-largest school district in the nation -- pass a landmark resolution in early 2026 committing to a formal Screen Time Policy with specific, enforceable limits. LAUSD's leadership demonstrates that districts of any size can take meaningful action. We are asking Austin ISD to follow their example.
Our Requests
We urge Austin ISD to adopt a comprehensive 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 mandated assessments. Children at this stage of development need hands-on, in-person learning experiences above all else.
2. Set specific, enforceable screen time limits by grade level. Establish daily and weekly limits 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.
3. Reduce 1:1 device programs in elementary and middle school. Transition to shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 3-8. Permanent 1:1 device assignment for children is not supported by research and contributes to excessive cumulative screen exposure.
4. 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 unsupervised student access has no place in the classroom.
5. Ban device use during unstructured time. Prohibit device use during passing periods, lunch, recess, and free time for elementary and middle school students. These moments of unstructured time are critical for social development and should not be dominated by screens. Screen time should not be used as an incentive.
6. Enact stronger standards for student data privacy, prioritize transparency, and give parents meaningful opt-out rights. Share weekly reports on children's screen activity on district devices. Allow families to opt out of specific EdTech programs -- not just blanket consent forms -- and ensure alternative learning methods are always available. Implement parental controls with shut-off times and website blockers on any device to be brought home by a student.
7. Encourage paper, physical textbooks, and off-screen homework. Research consistently shows better comprehension and retention with print materials. Policies should actively encourage analog alternatives, especially for homework at the elementary and middle school level.
8. Evaluate all EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy. Require independent review of EdTech products. Do not rely solely on vendor-supplied research. Ensure student data is protected and that contracts include accountability mechanisms. All student-facing EdTech programs should be ad-free.
9. Prohibit use of Generative AI until it has been deemed safe and effective for learning by independent research. Remove the exposure to inappropriate and unsafe material. Eliminate AI writing tools that allow students to cognitively offload their learning.
10. Use these guide questions before adopting any EdTech or technology for classroom use:
- Is it safe?
- Is there independent, conclusive evidence that the technology increases learning outcomes?
- Is it superior to the non-digital alternatives?
As parents in Austin ISD, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. All students deserve an excellent education, and spending hours on screens at school does not provide that. We need to shift the current paradigm in education so technology is no longer center stage.
The science is clear. The public consensus is growing. LAUSD has shown it can be done. We respectfully urge Austin ISD to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.
Sincerely,
The undersigned
