Reducing Screens and Protecting Play in Biddeford Schools

A campaign from Turn The Tide Coalition - Saco Alliance for Thoughtful Tech

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Recent supporters:
Kendra Mathews 4 days ago Marc Malon 5 days ago Jennifer Malon 11 days ago

Why This Matters

A convergence of research, legislative action, parent organizing, and international evidence has placed K–12 screen use at the center of a global conversation. While technology expands access and enables new forms of learning, a growing body of evidence is raising serious questions about how much is too much and whether the outcomes justify the tradeoffs.

In April 2026, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the U.S, unanimously passed a resolution to reduce and limit screen use in classrooms, reflecting a growing consensus that the current approach must change. We hope to build on that momentum and bring a better balance to classrooms across the country, and we humbly ask for your support.

 
Dear Biddeford School Committee and District Leadership,

We are parents and community members who support technology's role in education — but believe the pendulum has swung too far. New and growing research from institutions like the American Academy of Pediatrics, MIT, Harvard, and UNESCO shows that excessive screen use is affecting children's focus, mental health, and academic development in ways that demand attention. Here in Biddeford, many parents feel blindsided by the amount of screen use in our schools and have expressed a desire for more transparency and clear, robust policies to manage this screen use. We ask for your support in bringing a better balance to classroom screen use in Biddeford Schools.

As a starting point, we respectfully request the district:

1. Create a formal Screen Time Policy with specific, enforceable, research-backed limits by grade level that:
  • prioritizes screen use that offers genuine educational value that cannot be replicated offline.
  • prohibits screen use during passing periods, meals, recess, movement breaks, PE (gym), dismissal and free/activity time. 
  • requires parental consent to show noneducational movies/television programs.
  • requires that screens be turned off or blank when not being actively used for teaching.
  • prohibits advertisements while watching educational videos. 
  • includes a system for tracking and reporting screen time by application, grade level, and school — shared quarterly with the board and regularly with families. 

2. Prioritize and protect recess through at least 8th grade. Research consistently shows that unstructured outdoor play supports physical health, social development, emotional regulation, and academic focus — and its benefits don't stop at elementary school. Treat recess as non-negotiable and resist any pressure to reduce it in favor of additional screen-based instruction.

We believe these steps will help Biddeford Schools create a healthier, more balanced learning environment — and we look forward to working alongside you to make that happen.

Sincerely,
The undersigned

Recent Supporters

  • Kendra Mathews

    Parent

    4 days ago

  • Marc Malon

    Parent

    5 days ago

  • Jennifer Malon

    Parent

    11 days ago
7 supporters have signed this campaign

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