House Education Committee Hearing on Student Screentime in Schools

The Pervasiveness of Screens in Schools

• 📱 Screens, primarily smartphones, are now pervasive in classrooms, drawing attention away from instruction and leading students to spend an average of 90 minutes per school day on their own devices during instructional time.
• 📉 This excessive screen time is linked to declining student achievement, with only 28% of 8th graders proficient in math and 30% in reading.
• 🏫 Even school-issued devices contribute to significant screen time, with middle schoolers spending nearly two and a half hours daily, leading to reduced student-to-student and teacher-to-student interaction.

Negative Impacts on Students and Educators

• 🧠 Research indicates that excessive screen time negatively impacts academic performance, mental health, and the development of essential interpersonal skills.
• 😟 Cyberbullying originating at school is a growing concern, contributing to mental health issues among youth.
• ⚠️ Teachers report that competing with cell phones for student attention is a major contributor to stress and burnout, with 55% considering leaving the profession earlier than planned.

State and District Policy Responses

• 🏛️ Utah has implemented a statewide expectation prohibiting student cell phone use during classroom hours, with positive reported impacts on learning, bullying, and student connections.
• 🔒 Richardson ISD in Texas piloted a phone-free learning environment using secure pouches, resulting in fewer disciplinary issues, more instructional time, and improved teacher retention.
• 📊 Surveys indicate strong parental support for limiting screen time, with a significant majority favoring academic use only or structured device periods.

Federal Role and Research Needs

• 🔬 There's a call for federal leadership in investing in educator preparation programs to include training on digital wellness and media literacy.
• 🤝 Restoring funding for school-based mental health grants is crucial to support counselors and psychologists, especially in rural areas.
• 📚 Funding rigorous, longitudinal research through the Institute of Education Sciences is needed to understand the effects of screen time and identify effective educator training and instructional strategies.
• 🌐 The Office of Educational Technology should lead the development of age-appropriate, research-informed recommendations on screen use.