Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Denver Public Schools

A campaign from Schools Beyond Screens - Schools Beyond Screens - Denver

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Recent supporters:
Jacqueline Vitta about 2 hours ago Tracy Jones about 3 hours ago Brittni Fudge about 3 hours ago

Why This Matters

The largest school districts in the country, led by the recent resolution passed by LA Unified School District, are starting to move on classroom screen time -- setting hard grade-level limits, blocking YouTube and gaming platforms on school devices, and eliminating devices for the youngest students.

This isn't happening because administrators woke up and decided to act. It's happening because parents organized, showed up, and made it impossible to ignore.

Denver Public Schools has the same authority right now. They do not need to wait for state guidance or federal standards. Dozens of districts have already acted. What they need to hear is that their own community is paying attention and expects them to lead.

 
Dear Denver Public Schools Board of Education,
We are writing to urge Denver 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 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. 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 -- 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 Denver Public Schools to follow their example.
Our Requests
We urge Denver Public Schools 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 1st 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 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.

3. Reduce 1:1 device programs in elementary school. Transition to shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 2-5. Permanent 1:1 device assignment for young children is not supported by research and contributes to excessive cumulative screen exposure.

4. Block non-educational platforms and uses 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. Prohibit the use of school-issued devices for non-educational purposes, such as for behavioral rewards or in lieu of recess activities. 

5. Provide parents with meaningful opt-out rights. Allow families to opt out of specific EdTech programs -- not just blanket consent forms -- and ensure alternative learning methods are always available.

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.

Denver Public Schools leadership has already made it clear that they believe in the power of a distraction-free learning environment with the recent executive limitation banning personal device use. It's time to take the next step. 
The science is clear. The public consensus is growing. LAUSD has shown it can be done. We respectfully urge Denver Public Schools to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.

Sincerely, 
The undersigned

Recent Supporters

  • Jacqueline Vitta

    Parent

    about 2 hours ago

  • Tracy Jones

    Parent

    about 3 hours ago

  • Brittni Fudge

    Parent

    about 3 hours ago
199 supporters have signed this campaign

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