Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Buffalo Public Schools

A campaign from Schools Beyond Screens - Schools Beyond Screens Buffalo

Sign This Campaign

241
Signatures
Together, we're changing what's normal

You may receive email updates about this campaign from Schools Beyond Screens - Schools Beyond Screens Buffalo

Recent supporters:
Watrous Michelle about 4 hours ago Amy Stegura about 5 hours ago Kim Jordan about 6 hours ago

Why This Matters

The largest school districts in the country are starting to move on classroom screen time. 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.

The Buffalo Public School Board 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.

This petition gives them exactly that signal. The letter is based on real resolutions that have already passed -- the same structure, the same core asks, adapted so any community can put it in front of their board.

Your board gets a concrete ask from real families in their district. That's the whole mechanism. It works.

 
Dear Dr. Mubenga and Buffalo Public School Board members, 

We are writing to urge Buffalo Public Schools to take bold action on the growing crisis of excessive screen time in our schools.

Children in America already spend 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 Buffalo Public Schools to follow their example.

Our Requests
We urge Buffalo Public Schools to adopt a comprehensive screen time policy that includes the following:

1. Eliminate devices for the youngest students (grades pre-k-1) unless specified by an IEP or 504 plan.

2. Transition away from 1:1 devices and toward shared laptop carts and computer labs for grades 2-5.

3. Require all apps and videos used for instruction or on school devices and smart boards to be ad-free.

4. Ban screens, including devices, videos, TV, and movies, during unstructured time (e.g. recess, snack, dismissal) and physical education.

5. Inform parents of apps, websites and other media used in the curriculum and provide justification of their educational value.

6. Encourage paper, physical textbooks, and off-screen homework and classwork. Keep smart boards and devices off when not directly in use. 

7. Adjust the BPS AI policy to prohibit the assignment of AI use as classwork or homework. Continue to ban access to AI on school devices.

8. Formally re-evaluate all EdTech contracts for educational value and student data privacy. 

9. Prohibit screen time from being used as a reward, incentive, or behavioral reinforcement, unless specified by an IEP or 504 plan.

As parents in Buffalo Public Schools, we have seen firsthand how screens affect our children's ability to focus, connect with their peers, and engage in meaningful learning. 

The science is clear. The public consensus is growing.  We respectfully urge Buffalo Public Schools to act now to protect the health, development, and academic success of our children.

Sincerely, 
The undersigned

Recent Supporters

  • Watrous Michelle

    Parent

    about 4 hours ago

  • Amy Stegura

    Parent

    about 5 hours ago

  • Kim Jordan

    Parent

    about 6 hours ago
241 supporters have signed this campaign

Share This Campaign

*Separate multiple emails with commas

Need to share on your social networks or via text? Copy this link and paste it into your message.
QR Code for Campaign: Petition for Intentional Technology Use in Buffalo Public Schools