Responsible and Healthy Use of Tech in ICCSD Schools
A campaign from Coalition for Healthy Learning
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22
Signatures
Together, we're changing what's normal
Recent supporters:
Karla Smith 9 days ago
Megan Gosse 10 days ago
Dani Black 13 days ago
Why This Matters
We are asking ICCSD to adopt healthier, safer, more balanced and evidence-based technology policies that protect childhood, support deep learning, and prioritize human-centered learning over screen-based instruction. Research has shown; academic outcomes worsen as screen time in schools increases; excessive screen time negatively impacts physical and mental health; reading from paper and writing by hand increases comprehension and cognitive engagement, schools with well-administered bell-to-bell phone bans are safer, happier, and have increased teacher retention; and unstructured free time for kids to play and socialize with other kids (and without screens) gives them the opportunity to practice and develop critical life skills–communication, self-regulation, agency, resilience, social connection, etc. We love our educators, our schools, and our community, and we want to work collaboratively to support the district in centering research-backed practices that put deep learning, people, health, and wellbeing at the heart of every ICCSD classroom.
Dear ICCSD Board and Interim Superintendent,
We are writing to express our deepest concern regarding the overreliance of our public schools on screen-based learning.
Our children are already spending an enormous amount of time on screens outside of school, averaging nine hours per day for high school students, according to recent studies. Excessive screen time has been associated with many serious issues, including anxiety and depression, executive function disorders, eye disorders, sleep loss, neck pain, and screen addiction.
Internet access on classroom devices can fragment students' attention, making it difficult for them to think deeply and stay on task. Indeed, numerous studies have shown better comprehension and retention when students learn on paper vs screens. Classroom devices also create new behavioral challenges for teachers, requiring them to police online activity instead of teaching.
EdTech apps pose privacy risks through their collection of student data. And by gamifying the learning experience, they can undermine children's ability to focus on work that doesn't trigger short-term rewards, thereby diminishing the capacity for deep thinking.
Additionally, computer-based homework can be a gateway to unsanctioned online activity, placing an undue burden on parents to monitor their children's online activity at home.
Our Requests
We are proposing the following steps ICCSD can take now to begin addressing these concerns:
1. Establish a Technology Advisory Committee
Establish a collaborative technology advisory committee with parent & teacher representatives to evaluate both existing and prospective EdTech products, determining whether their educational value outweighs potential harms. This committee must rely on independent research regarding each product's efficacy, rather than studies provided by the companies themselves. Utilize research-backed models, like EverySchool's EdTech Triangle, to be deliberate about EdTech products approved for the classroom (https://www.everyschool.org/the-edtech-triangle).
2. Reduce 1:1 Chromebook Program
Eliminate 1:1 device programs for elementary schools, and limit use in middle & high schools to times when screens provide a unique educational benefit. Devices can be distributed on carts or in a tech lab where educationally relevant rather than permanently assigned to students.
3. Allow Teacher, School, and Student Opt-Outs
Allow individual teachers & schools to opt out of district mandates (or "guidelines") for the use of specific EdTech products. Allow students to opt out of computer-based activities if requested by a parent and/or medical or mental health professional, with alternative learning methods provided.
4. A Five-Year Pause on Generative AI
A five-year pause on all products using GenAI in preK-12 schools would allow time for school communities, including students, educators, administrators, and parents, to learn about the implications and uses of GenAI in education, to ask questions, and to provide feedback. During this pause, school officials should turn off Gemini and Google’s AI features for students and utilize Securly’s ability to restrict AI-powered features in search engines, as well as ensure that any GenAI products introduced after the pause meet the five requirements suggested by Fairplay (https://fairplayforkids.org/pf/pause-genai/).
6. Prioritize Experiential, Tactile, and Kinesthetic Instruction & Homework
Research consistently shows that writing by hand and reading from paper materials enhance comprehension, memory retention and cognitive engagement compared to reading and writing on screens. Make embodied pedagogy–pencil-and-paper, books, manipulatives, whiteboards, human interaction, etc.–the primary mode of learning in classrooms and for homework. Utilize technology only when needed for technology-specific education, such as coding, creating spreadsheets, graphic design, etc.
7. Phone-Free Schools
Implement a policy where phones are out of sight and out of students’ possession from the start to the end of the school day. Benefits to such policies have included increased student safety in school-wide emergencies, decreases in bullying and behavioral incidents, increased focus on learning and in-person socialization, better academic outcomes and test scores, increased teacher retention, and happier school communities overall.
8. Promote Unstructured Play and In-Person Activity for Students
Play is the work of childhood. Play is how children build the skills, strengths, and character they need for life. Without it development is delayed or distorted as described in educator Kevin Stinehart’s Architecture of Childhood framework (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zWlQ8giXrzAxtpTmmSyhWIDYcnxfxFG8/view). Unfortunately, in today’s culture, children do not have as many opportunities for screen-free, unstructured play. ICCSD can promote play and socialization by opening up school playgrounds, gyms, cafeterias for students before/after school and during lunch periods for free play.
Next Steps
We would be very happy to meet with you to discuss these concerns at your earliest convenience. Our goal is to work collaboratively with the district to ensure our children receive the highest quality education while protecting their health and development.
As parents, educators, mental health, and healthcare professionals, we have seen firsthand how excessive screen time affects children’s ability to focus and engage in meaningful learning and in-person connection. We believe these changes will benefit not only academic outcomes, but also student and teacher wellbeing.
On behalf of our children, we respectfully request that you take this issue seriously and work with our community to implement these evidence-based improvements.
Sincerely,
The undersigned
Recent Supporters
-
9 days ago
Karla Smith
Grandparent
-
10 days ago
Megan Gosse
Parent
-
13 days ago
Dani Black
Parent
22 supporters have signed this campaign
Sign This Campaign
22
Signatures
Together, we're changing what's normal
Recent supporters:
Karla Smith 9 days ago
Megan Gosse 10 days ago
Dani Black 13 days ago
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